
IRDLINGB 




Class _£5_^Sa51_ 
Book_Jlild4_JL 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE WORLD 

AND 

HIS WIFE 




^' Ihey have given you to me ! ^^ 



THE WORLD 

AND 

HIS WIFE 

By 

CHARLES FREDERIC NIRDLINGER 

'I 

After the verse of 
JOSE ECHEGARAY'S 
EL GRAN GALEOTO 




NEW YORK 
MITCHELL KENNERLEY 

^ East ^9th Street 






-A 



,,^^ 



Copyright 1908 by^'^Q^ 
Julie Opp Faversham 
All rights reserved 

Copyright 1908 by 
Mitchell Kennerley 



b 



LIBRARY of (;Oiv:GRESS| 
Two OcDiay fieojived 

PEC 18 !908 
CLASS ol; xxc, m 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

As presented at Daly's Theatre, New York, 

November 2nd, 1908 
by Mr. William Faversham and his Company 

Cast of Characters 

Don Julian Mr. H. Cooper Cliffe 

Donna Teodora, his wife Miss Julie Opp 

Don Severo Mr. Charles Harbury 

Donna Mercedes, his wife Miss Olive Oliver 

Don Pepito, their son Mr. Harry Redding 

Captain Beaulieu, of the British Embassy, 

Mr. Morton Selten 

Don Ernesto Mr. Faversham 

Genaro, concierge '. Mr. Lionel Belmore 

Synopsis of Scenes 

Act 1. — Drawing-room in Don Julian's home in Madrid. 
Evening. 

Act II. — Two weeks later. Don Ernesto's rooms in the 
Alvarado Studio. 

Act III. — Evening of the same day. Scene same as Act I. 

Time — Present. 



The World and His Wife 



ACT I 

The Scene is the drawing-room in the house of 
DON JULIAN: spacious and sumptuously fur- 
nished. The walls are hung with velvet of old- 
rose; the coverings of chairs and couches are of 
corresponding tints. The beamed ceiling is of 
painted cedar. At the back, right, in a large 
arch, with French windows the full height of the 
room, opens a wide balcony; at the left, a similar 
arch leads to a stone hall-way, conducting to 
Julian's apartment. A door at the left of the 
stage, flanked by tall, many-candled torcheres, 
opens into the entrance hall of the house; a door 
at the right of the stage leads to the library. 
Between the arches, at the back, is a grand-piano, 
and a single torchere of massive design. Below 
the library door is a mantel of pale-pink marble, 
with grilled fire-place and brazier of Moorish cop- 
per. On the mantel are two antique figures, 
supporting candelabra. 

When the curtain rises, teodora stands at 

[7] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

the balcony door; faintly from the street below, 
is heard the waltz of the opera ''Galeoto," played 
by the mandolinata. 

JULIAN, entering 
[At the door, calling. 
Teodora ! 

[She does not answer. 
Teo! 

TEODORA, turns 
Oh, it's you, dear ! 

JULIAN 

In the clouds again? 

TEODORA 

There aren't any. The sky's as clear as crystal. 
It's going to be a gorgeous evening. 

JULIAN 

I've asked my brother, Severo, to dinner — and 
Mercedes. 

TEODORA 

[With a pout. 
Oh, did you.f^ 

[8] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

Why, what's the matter? 

TEODORA 

Oh, nothing, nothing at all. Only — I was think- 
ing we'd be all by ourselves this evening — ^just 
you and I — and Ernesto. 

JUIilAN 

Well, I'll make some excuse — and call it off — 

TEODORA 

No, no, no — it was just a mood — I'm glad they're 
coming — and we'll dine on the balcony. 

[^Rings for servant. 

JULIAN 

Isn't it too cool.'' 

TEODORA 

Oh, no — it'll be lovely. 

TEODORA 

[To SERVANT who entevs. 
We'll have dinner on the balcony. 

[9] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SERVANT 

Yes, Madame — the usual hour, Madame? 

TEODORA 

No, earher — half an hour — we're going to the 
opera. 

SERVANT 

Yes, Madame. 

l^Goes out. 

TEODORA 

The moon ought to be up, at the latest, with the 
coifee — and there's sure to be a street-band to 
play for us. — Julian, there's much we'll miss 
when we leave Madrid. 

JULIAN 

My dear, other countries have a moon and street- 
bands. 

TEODORA 

[ With a regretful toss of the head. 
Not like those of Madrid. 

[10] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

Well, we may not have to give them up. 

TEODORA, surprised 
Why, you've changed your plans? 

JULIAN 

Not so much I, as the Foreign Office. 

TEODORA 

Really ? — What's happened ? 

JULIAN 

For some reason, there's a sudden curious hesitancy 
over my appointment. 

TEODORA 

Politics, of course? 

JULIAN 

To tell the truth, I can't make out what it is. 
Severo has gone to the Minister, to see if he 
can get at the bottom of the mystery. 

TEODORA 

But it was quite settled, I thought. 

[11] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



JUI.IAN 



So did I. In fact, I never thought of possible 
rivalry. It's a very costly Embassy, the one 
they offered me — urged on me. The war with 
America left us all so poor — there aren't many 
who'd care to take it. — Why, when I lunched at 
the Palace, a few days ago, the King asked 
when I'd find it convenient to start — And the 
Queen said no end of nice things about you — 
with your beauty, charm and tact, the Em- 
bassy was sure to succeed — And now this! I 
really don't mind so much about myself, but 
won't Ernesto be disappointed ! 

TEODORA 

You asked he be made First Secretary .? 

JULIAN 

Not only asked — stipulated — 

TEODORA 

And they — agreed — ? 

JULIAN 

Yes ! A little dissent at first, — his youth and lack 
of diplomatic training — but I reminded the 
Minister the Government owed something to the 

[12] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

son of Don Florio, whose devotion to Spain cost 
him his fortune. . . . Had he made cause with 
her foes he would not only have saved his vast 
investments in Cuba, but increased them ten- 
fold. — The least they can do in recompense is 
to start Ernesto on a diplomatic career. 

TEODORA 

You think he has the qualities .^^ 

JULIAN 

Why not.f^ Good-looking .^ 

TEODORA 

Rather. 

JUI.IAN 

Talks well.? 

TEODORA 

Rather. 

JULIAN 

And not too much.? 

TEODORA 

Too little, rather. 

[13] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

And dances? 

TEODORA 

Divinely ! 

JULIAN 

There ! Bismarck began with less than that. The 
one thing Ernesto lacks — 

TEODORA 

Fortune ? 

JULIAN 

That, thank Heaven, we can supply. 

TEODORA, dubiously 
That's the stumbling block, I'm afraid. 

JULIAN 

Why? 

TEODORA 

Such help — he'll refuse. 

JULIAN 

Has he said so? 

[ 14 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Oh, no — we've never spoken of it — but — you'll find 
I'm right, Julian. 

JULIAN 

But I won't hear of such — pride. 
\_Pushes the bell-button. 
Is he in.^ 

TEODORA 

{^Shozmng the book. 

He — er — sent me this volume of Dante just be- 
fore you came. 

JULIAN 

{^To SERVANT who enters. 

Say to Don Ernesto I wish to see him here. 

[servant goes out. 

He has no right to deny me the chance to repay, in 
some small part, what I owe his father. At 
more than one crisis of my affairs Don Florio 
helped me to safety. But for him — I should 
have nothing — least of all you, Teodora. 
Isn't that enough to make me grateful .^ — ^What- 
ever I might do for the lad, I should never feel 
free of the debt. 

[16] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Julian, aren't you a bit fantastic about it? 
You've been kindness itself to Ernesto. Rushed 
off to Barcelona the instant you learned he was 
alone. Brought him here, to be with us until 
his sorrow had softened. Watched over him, 
humoured his moods, won him gradually — and 
with such loving care! — from his sombre 
thoughts. Why — if he were your brother — 

JULIAN 

I've tried to, as if he were my son. 

TEODORA, lightly 
No, no — 'brother' will do — quite well enough. 
[erne ST o appears at the door. 
Here he is. 

JULIAN 

Hello, Ernesto. 

ERNESTO, bowing 
Juhan — and Teodora — you got the book.? 

TEODORA 

[Holding it up. 

Thanks. 

[16] 




The usual^ and universal^ three.'''' 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Any news, Julian? 

JULIAN 

Nothing certain. We're waiting for Severe — If 
our plans fell through — would you mind very 
much ? 

ERNESTO 

On your account, yes. On my own, not at all. 

JULIAN 

Why — 

ERNESTO 

For one thing, I'm too poor for the post. 

JULIAN 

Legation secretary.^ Nonsense! Nothing's ex- 
pected of you. You don't ask people to dinners 
and dances — 

ERNESTO 

No, but other people ask me to theirs — and gloves 
and cravats cost something — and cabs don't 
grow on trees. 

[17] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN, impatiently 
That phase of the matter I will not discuss. 

ERNESTO 

But I must, Juhan. It's about that I want to 
speak with jou — 

[tegdora moves as if to go to the door. 

And you, too. Donna Teodora — Now you 
mustn't think me boorish or ungrateful, but it's 
high time I cut loose from this secure and com- 
fortable haven and set out to see what I can do 
for myself. 

JULIAN 

Nonsense ! 

ERNESTO 

[Appealing to teodora. 
Am I not right, Teodora? 

TEODORA 

No ! You must come with us ! — And we'll marry 
you to one of those nice, tall American girls — 
like we saw at Ostend — who get railroads for 
dowries, and coal-mines for pin-money. 

[18] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Alluring — but I've quite decided! 

TEODORA, deprecatingly 
Of course — if you're unhappy here — 

ERNESTO 

It's just because I've been so wonderfully happy 
that I've begun to be — unhappy. 

JULIAN 

If you'd only look at matters sensibly and realize 
that whatever I may do for you — - 

ERNESTO, interrupting 

Oh, yes, I know you were loyal friends — but, my 
dear Julian, I can't accede further to your 
chivalrous, almost quixotic, memory of a favour 
long since passed. The companionship of all 
these months has more than repaid it. Without 
it I don't know what would have become of me. 
My father and I were great chums, you know, 
and I didn't think anything could ever begin to 
take his place in life, as you have. But now, I 
beg of you, offer me nothing more that I must 
refuse. 

[19] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

\^As if hurt. 

Oh, of course, if mj poor services humiliate you — 
or embarrass you — 

ERNESTO 

'Humiliate,' no — 'embarrass,' yes. Of course, 
you'll say it doesn't amount to anything — that 
I should take no notice — and at first I didn't. 
But when people saw me constantly with you — 
in your box at the opera — using your traps 
and horses — a wing of the palace set apart for 
me — your servants at my beck and call — credit 
at your bankers' — why, I can't tell you how 
often I've been asked: 'You are Donna Teo- 
dora's brother?' No. — ^ 'Ah, cousin, then?' 
No. 'Oh, Don Julian's nephew?' Again, no. 
'But, of course, a near relation?' No — no re- 
lation at all — just a friend, an old friend. 'Ho 
— Ho — well, you're a very lucky young man.' — 
And up went the eyebrows ! 

[Laughing. 

Now, can't you see that that might become 
annoying after a while? 

[After waiting for some response. 

Teo, you must understand? 

[ 20] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



Why, yes, I— 



Well, / don't- 



TEODORA 



JULIAN 



TEODORA 



But, Julian, you don't have to answer the ques- 
tions — 

JULIAN 

Don't I, though ! Every day. A little different 
in form, perhaps. 'That's an attractive young 
fellow you've stopping with you.' Yes, we like 
him. 'Going to put him into the bank, I sup- 
pose?' No, has no taste for business. 'Poli- 
tics.'^' We're trying to induce him. 'And if 
you can't.?' He has some talent for letters. 
'Ah, artist .^^ — that's too bad! — Any fortune?' 
Yes, just as much as I have. 

ERNESTO, interrupting 
But, Julian — 

JULIAN 

Why not ? It's the truth. Your father was ready 

[21] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

to share with me everything he had — and so am 
I with jou. It is not a favour I oifer — ^but only 
what I beheve is due to you. 

ERNESTO 

But JuHan, such generous spirit — the world 
doesn't understand. 

JULIAN 

[^Snapping his fingers. 

That for the world ! — If I disregard what I deem 
an obligation, what does the world give me for 
my lost peace of mind? After all, you see, I 
am selfish ! When you're as old as I am — the 
prattle and tattle of the world — 

[^Starts to go. 

Teodora will tell you what I think of it — 

[To TEODORA. 

When Severo comes — I'm in the library — 

\To ERNESTO. 

The world, indeed! 

[Laughing. 

You're young yet, Ernesto, very young! 

[He goes out. 

[ 22] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[^Loolcing after julian. 
Just the finest fellow — isn't he? 

TEODORA 

I think so — that's why I married him. 

ERNESTO 

Couldn't be kinder to me, if I were his son. 

TEODORA 

l^With a stamp of her foot. 
Brother, if you please — Brother ! 

ERNESTO, laughing 
Of course, if you prefer, but it means the same. 

TEODORA 

No, it doesn't — not by a good many years. — 
You're going to the opera with us? 

ERNESTO 

Is there a place? 

[23] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



TEODORA 



Surely — So when the story gets lost in the maze 
of the music, you can set us right — You must 
know it by heart ! 



ERNESTO 

[Pointing to the hook which teodora 
holds. 

Yes — as it's told there — in the 'Inferno,' — I read 
it very often. 

TEODORA 

\_Loohing at the pages. 

Yes — this page shows — thumb-marked — and notes 
everywhere — in the margin. Here you've writ- 
ten — 

[Peers at the page. 

'Poor Francesca !' 'Poor Paolo !' — And here — 



ERNESTO 

[Reaching to take the hook. 
Don't, Teodora — you'll hurt your eyes. 

[24] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

[Retaining the book. 
No, I want to see the rest — 

\_Starts toward the balcony. 

ERNESTO 

Some other time — it's getting dark. 

TEODORA 

\_At the balcony-window. 
Light enough here — by the window. 

TEODORA, reading 
'Blameless — both' - — what does that mean ? 

ERNESTO 

I forget now — idle, vagrant thoughts — scrawled, 
as I read. 

l^Turns to take the book. 

TEODORA 

[^Drawing it away. 

But why 'Poor Paolo' — 'Poor Francesca'.? You 
pity them? 

ERNESTO 

And don't you? 

[25] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



TEODORA 



No — I — yes — pity, perhaps. But ^blameless* — 
No! 

ERNESTO 

They loved — greatly — ^'God-like,* is Dante's 
word. 

TEODORA 

And 'God-like' they should have kept it — up 
there with the stars ! — And not drag it down to 
earth — forgetting — disdaining — faith— loyalty 
— gratitude — pride — That was not 'God-like !' 

ERNESTO 

You are right, Teodora — but, now and then. Fate 
leads two weak humans, face to face, and says : 
'You twain are mates' — 'You belong together, 
body and soul' — And when that happens — as 
with Francesca and Paolo — faith — loyalty, 
pride are vain words. Love doesn't heed them, 
nor hear them. When that happens — not only 
in poet's fancy, but the hum-drum of every-day 
life — the maid, nobly bred, guarded like a price- 
less pearl, runs away with the picador; — a 
Princess of the line, takes up with her street- 
fiddler ; — the queen leaves her throne for her 
ballad-monger — 



[26] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[sEVERo enters in time to hear the last 
part of the speech: he is not seen hy 
TEODORA and ernesto. 

TEODOEA 

And thej are 'blameless'? 

ERNESTO 

Yes — because — helpless. 

[It has been gradually growing darker- 
the light of the setting sun now scarcely 
reaches beyond the point where ernesto 
and teodora stand. 

MERCEDES, entering; 
Nobody here? 

[teodora and ernesto, absorbed in 
each other, do not hear. 

SEVERO 

Wait— I'll ring for lights. 

[He pushes the bell-button. 

MERCEDES 

[Catching sight of the others. 
But there is — 

[Starts toward the balcony. 
[S7] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

[Stopping her. 
No — don't disturb them. 

MERCEDES, sTieeringly 
Together — as usual. 

SEVERO 

And yet you wonder people talk — call it an out- 
rage. 

[^Calls in a sharp tone. 

Julian ! 

[ernesto and teodora turn quichly. 

TEODORA 

[Coming from the balcony. 
Oh, Mercedes ! 

[Kisses her. 

ERNESTO, advancing 
It's I, Don Severo. 

SEVERO, significantly 
So I see — I thought, of course, it was Julian. 

[28] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES, SUSpiCWUsly 

What were you two doing — in the dark? 

TEODORA 

[With hook in hand. 
Reading. 

MERCEDES 

By this light? — We could hardly find our way in. 

TEODORA 

Oh, I forgot — 

[Goes toward hell. 

SEVERO 

I've rung. — Julian's out, of course? 

TEODORA 

No — in the library — he's expecting you. 

SEVERO 

{With intention. 
Yes — I have news for him. 

[29] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Take Don Ernesto — it may interest him. 

ERNESTO 

Julian will tell me — if he thinks I ought to know. 

MERCEDES 
[To ERNESTO. 

Has Don Julian arranged for the opera-box to- 
night ? 

TEODORA 

He asked Pepito to look after it. 

MERCEDES 
[^To ERNESTO. 

Won't you please make sure — Pepito's so careless, 
you know. 

[To TEODORA. 

I want to talk with you. 

TEODORA 

Talk ahead. 

[ 30 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Alone, please. Get rid of him! 

TEODORA 

[In a tone of surprise. 
'Get rid of—' 

MERCEDES 

If you don't, I shall — 

TEODORA, protesting 
Why, my dear — 

{Turns to ernesto. 

Ernesto, Donna Mercedes has something to tell 
me. 

ERNESTO 

[Starting to go. 
Oh, I beg — 

TEODORA 

— and asked me to 'get rid of you — 

MERCEDES, embarrassed 
But, Teo— 

[31] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

The truth, dear — it's so much simpler ! 

ERNESTO 

[^Stopping at the door, and turning. 

Oh, Teodora, I've asked Captain BeauKeu to come 
to dinner. Do you mind? 

TEODORA 

No, glad to have him. Julian likes him. Dinner 
at seven. 

[ernesto goes out. 

[To MERCEDES. 

Captain Beaulieu is military attache at the 

British Legation. 

MERCEDES 

Yes, I've met him — And Ernesto — 
[Nods. 
asks people to dinner? — 

[teodora nods '^es.' 
Quite master-of-the-house, isn't he? 

[32] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Why, of course. That's the way we want him to 
feel. His father and Julian — you know what 
friends they were. — Julian never tires talking of 
it. — Ernesto's as much at home here as Julian 
himself. 

MERCEDES, suappishly 
Yes, that's what they say. 

TEODORA 

Good! Everything we have is at Ernesto's dis- 
posal, and we want the whole world to know it. 

MERCEDES 

Teo, you're either very ingenuous or very ingen- 
ious. 

TEODORA 

Sounds interesting — I wish I knew what it meant. 

[MERCEDES looks at TEODORA,* there is 
a troubled pause. 

TEODORA 

Well, well — what is it? You look serious. 

[33] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

It is serious. 

TEODORA 

Aha, you've been up to some mischief? 

MERCEDES 

No, but — my dear, you know I Hke you, don't 
you? — that I'm your friend? 

TEODORA 

Yes — but you didn't send Ernesto away to tell me 
that! — Now what's happened? 

MERCEDES 

I hope nothing has happened, I pray nothing will. 

TEODORA, impatiently 

Don't keep me on the rack. What can happen — 
and to whom? 

MERCEDES 

To all three. 

TEODORA 

What three? 

[34] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

The usual, and universal, three — the wife, the hus- 
band — and — another man. 

TEODORA, perplexedly 
Another — ? 

MERCEDES 

The other man— 

[With a nod to indicate ernesto. 

TEODORA 

Ernesto ? 

MERCEDES 

[With elaborate relief. 
Thank jou for guessing! 

TEODORA, laughing 
Wasn't very hard with that — 

[Repeats mercedes' nod. 
[With sudden change of tone. 
And you^re in love with Ernesto? 

[35] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Looking at her closely. 

If I didn't know jou to be a candid, straight- 
forward woman, I'd say you were fencing — or 
worse ! 

TEG DORA, rising 

And I'd say you were — 

MERCEDES 

Teodora — is it possible you don't know what they 
are saying? 

TEODORA 

Who are ^they'? 

MERCEDES 

Everybody — everybody — in our world — and half 
Madrid, besides. 

TEODORA 

[After a 'pause. 
And what do they say? 

MERCEDES 

That you are making a fool of Julian — you and 
Ernesto ! 

[36] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA, aghast 
Mercedes ! 

MERCEDES, deliberately 
That's what they say, Teo. 

TEODORA, rising 
Ernesto and I — they say — ! 

\^After a pause. 

Well — now the shock's over — it's so ridiculous — 
what they say — so supremely and sublimely 
wicked — that it's ridiculous — 

MERCEDES 

Then you care nothing for this man? 

TEODORA 

I like Ernesto — like him — better, I believe, than 
any man I know — 

MERCEDES 

Ah! 

TEODORA 

But I love Julian. 

[37] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Is there so much difference ? 

TEODORA, impatiently 

Is there ! — Well — if you don't know the difference, 
I'm sorry for you — 

l^As an after-thought. 

And your husband, too. 

\^In a different tone. 

I'd lay down my life for Julian, and you know 
it. 

MERCEDES 

/ believe you — but out there — 

[Indicating the world without. 
They don't — They're laughing at Julian. 



TEODORA 

Laughing at him! I'd hate to be the one he 
catches at it ! 



MERCEDES 

[With a gesture. 
He has only to reach out his hand — anywhere- 

[38] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

at his club — in the Prado — at the opera — And 
as for you, Teo — 

TEODORA 

Never mind me ! That's no matter ! — what they 
say ! — A woman reckons only with God and her 
own conscience. But Julian — that pink of 
chivalry, with the pride of El Campeador ! — 
Mercedes, it would kill him — Mil him ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes, and knowing that, Teo, feeling as you do, 
how could you be so — so — 

TEODORA 

What ! 

MERCEDES 

Reckless — or indifferent — of what everyone thinks. 

TEODORA 

No, they can't — 

MERCEDES 

Says then — comes to the same — and more! — It 
isn't what you do, nor what people think you 
do ; it's what they say you do ! 

[39] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

But no right — or reason — 

MERCEDES 

Oh, plenty of reason — this man constantly about 
you. 

TEODORA 

With Julian! 

MERCEDES 

No, not always — Just now — when we came in — 
and found you — bien-intime — 'reading' — in the 
dusk — Julian wasn't with you — 

TEODORA 

But — here — in my home — 

MERCEDES 

And the servants? 

TEODORA 

The servants ! 

MERCEDES 

Have eyes and ears just the same as the others. 

[40] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

And can see and hear no more than the others. 
[Nods to indicate the world outside. 
Oh, but, come, Mercedes— this is too much! 
The servants! I begin to beheve you mean to 
humihate me. 

MERCEDES 

No, but neither shall he—ii we can help it— we 
who really care for you. Teodora, the fel- 
low's unworthy of you— not fit to tie your— 

[Points to teodora's shoes. 

TEODORA 

[Turning sharpie/. 
Mercedes, I forbid you ! 

MERCEDES, triumphantly/ 

There,^ you see !— you flare at the first word 
against him. 

TEODORA 

Yes,^ a guest under our roof— Juhan's closest 
friend— as dear to him almost as Severo— living 
with us in the frankest companionship— you ex- 
pect me to listen— in patience— to the chatter 

[41] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 
of the servants' hall — the scandal of the streets. 

MERCEDES 

It is more than that — much more ! This preuou- 
chevalier whom you defend with such fire has 
compromised Julian ruinously. 

TEODORA 

Nonsense ! 

MERCEDES 

Indeed! You know, perhaps, Julian's appoint- 
ment has been held up? 

TEODORA 

Yes, he told me. 

INTERCEDES 

And the reason .? 

TEODORA 

He doesn't know — 

MERCEDES 

But Severo does — learned it just now at the For- 
eign Office. The gossip you make so light of — - 
that you ridicule and despise — well, there they 
take it more seriously. You understand.f^ 



[42] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

I begin to. 

MERCEDES 

At first they would tell Severo nothing — the usual 
diplomatic excuses and evasions. "A mere de- 
lay" — they put it. When Severo insisted — ■ 
there were intimations, none too nice — shoulder 
shrugs — -lifted eyebrows ; — and then an at- 
tempt to make a joke of it all! 

TEODORA 

I can imagine that was enough for Severo ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes. — He demanded that they come out into the 
open and tell him exactly what this treatment 
of his brother meant. — He demanded the truth 
— and he got it ! 

TEODORA, contemptuously 
The truth? 

MERCEDES 

Well, what they believe the truth. And in plain, 
blunt terms, without disguise or delicacy. — Is 
that enough, Teo.? 

[43] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODOBA 

No, go on. 

MERCEDES 

Well, the Capital to which Julian would be ac- 
credited, they explained, prides itself on its prim 
and precise social orders. None of our Euro- 
pean ways ! — The menage-a-trois, with its at- 
tendant gossip and eventual divorce, is quite 
unknown. — In short, their social code, over there 
is summed up in the Seventh Commandment — 
Or so the}^ tried to make Severo believe. They 
told of an Ambassador, from a Power much 
greater than Spain, practically given his conge 
because of some vague doubt regarding a mem- 
ber of his household. The Ambassador showed 
his Emperor's decree that proclaimed his prote- 
gee princess by title and heiress to all his es- 
tates. But even that didn't satisfy his straight- 
laced censors ; and Monsieur rAmhassadeur had 
himself transferred. — Now do you understand .^^ 

TEODORA, bitterly 
Quite well enough ! 

MERCEDES 

Why did Julian insist on Ernesto's appointment 
— and why did you let him.^ Without that 

[44] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

everything would have gone well. — They told 
Severo relations with the other country were 
still awkward and the Government could not 
risk a contretemps. — If here in Madrid, where 
we are not squeamish, this menage is misunder- 
stood — what chance to escape scandal over 
there ? 

TEODOHA 

If Julian should know ! 

MERCEDES 

He must know. — Severo's come to tell him. 



TEODORA, protesting 
But, first, let ine see Julian. It is my right- 



MERCEDES 

His brother has the greater right. 

[ JULIAN and SEVERO enter, talking vehe- 
mently. 

TEODORA 

[^Rushing to Julian. 
Julian ! 

[45] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Indicating meecedes. 
What has she been telling you? 

MERCEDES 

Just what Severo has been telling you. 

JULIAN 

Now, my good people, for this once I let it go, 
but you shall not — 

SEVERO 

We only tell you what they say — 

JULIAN 

They say — they say — who? 

MERCEDES 

Everyone — everywhere — all the world and his 
wife ! — 

JULIAN 

They shall answer to us. 

SEVERO 

You can't fight all the world ! 

[46] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

For Teodora, yes — all the world. 

MERCEDES 

Perhaps — but you can't fight his wife. — I've spok- 
en to Teo only as I would to a loved sister whom 
I saw in danger. 

JULIAN 

If there were danger, I should be the first — 

SEVERO 

No, the last to see. It is always so ! Shut your 
own eyes if you will, but you can't shut out the 
picture, here, for all the world to look at ; the 
wife, young, beautiful, with a mind for moon- 
light and the mandolinata, and an idling, dream- 
ing youth, who when he isn't lolling at her feet 
is mooning over love stories — or writing verses 
— for Teodora to read ! A fine animal to let 
loose about the house while you're at your desk 
muddling over State affairs — I'd as lief bring 
into my house the pet of the bull-ring ! 



JULIAN, indignantly 
Severo, you forget the presence of my wife- 

[47] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

S E V E R O 

No — nor that she bears our name — that her hon- 
our is our own. — Let him not forget it either — 
this fellow Ernesto ! 

[ernesto appears at the door in time to 
hear this: he is followed hy pepito. 

ERNESTO 

[As if to withdraw. 
I beg your pardon. 

JULIAN 

Come in — 

PEPITO 
[To TEODORA. 

Here are the tickets — the opera is 'Galeoto' — 
with a ballet, from Paris. Trala ! 

TEODORA 

Thanks, Pepito. 

ERNESTO 
[To JULIAN. 

What's happened? 

[48] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Why, of course. That's the way we want him to 
feel. His father and Julian — you know what 
friends they were. — Julian never tires talking of 
it. — Ernesto's as much at home here as Julian 
himself. 

MERCEDES, snapplsJily 
Yes, that's what they say. 

TEODORA 

Good! Everything we have is at Ernesto's dis- 
posal, and we want the whole world to know it. 

MERCEDES 

Teo, you're either very ingenuous or very ingen- 
ious. 

TEODORA 

Sounds interesting — I wish I knew what it meant. 

[MERCEDES looks at TEODORA,* there is 
a troubled pause. 

TEODORA 

Well, well — what is it.? You look serious. 

[33] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

It is serious. 

TEODORA 

Aha, you've been up to some mischief? 

MERCEDES 

No, but — my dear, you know I like you, don't 
you? — that I'm your friend? 

TEODORA 

Yes — but you didn't send Ernesto away to tell me 
that! — Now what's happened? 

MERCEDES 

I hope nothing has happened, I praif nothing will. 

TEODORA, impatiently/ 

Don't keep me on the rack. What can happen — 
and to whom? 

MERCEDES 

To all three. 

TEODORA 

What three? 

[34] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIF 



E 



MERCEDES 



The usual, and universal, three — the wife, the hus- 
band — and — another man. 

TEODORA, perplexedly 
Another — ? 

MERCEDES 

The other man — 

[With a nod to indicate ernesto. 

TEODORA 

Ernesto? 

MERCEDES 

[With elaborate relief. 
Thank you for guessing! 

TEODORA, laughing 
Wasn't very hard with that — 

[Repeats mercedes' nod. 
[With sudden change of tone. 
And you're in love with Ernesto? 

[35] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Looking at her closely. 

If I didn't know you to be a candid, straight- 
forward woman, I'd say you were fencing — or 
v/orse ! 

TEODORA, rising 

And I'd say you were — 

MERCEDES 

Teodora — is it possible you don't know what they 
are saying? 

TEODORA 

Who are 'they'? 

MERCEDES 

Everybody — everybody — in our world — and half 
Madrid, besides. 

TEODORA 

[After a pause. 
And what do they say? 

MERCEDES 

That you are making a fool of Julian — ^you and 
Ernesto ! 

[ 36 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA, aghast 
Mercedes ! 

MERCEDES, deliberately 
That's what they say, Teo. 

TEODORA, rising 
Ernesto and I — they say — ! 

[After a pause. 

Well — now the shock's over — it's so ridiculous — 
what they say — so supremely and sublimely 
wicked — that it's ridiculous — 

MERCEDES 

Then you care nothing for this man? 

TEODORA 

I like Ernesto — like him — better, I believe, than 
any man I know — 

MERCEDES 

Ah! 

TEODORA 

But I love Julian. 

[37] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Is there so much difference? 

TEODORA, impatiently 

Is there ! — Well — if you don't know the difference, 
I'm sorry for you — 

l^As an after- thought. 

And your husband, too. 

[//J a different tone. 

I'd lay down my life for Julian, and you know 
it. 

MERCEDES 

/ believe you — but out there — 

{^Indicating the world without. 
They don't — They're laughing at Julian. 

TEODORA 

( 

Laughing at him ! I'd hate to be the one he 
catches at it ! 

MERCEDES 

{With a gesture. 
He has only to reach out his hand — anywhere — 

[38] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

at his club — in the Prado — at the opera — ^And 
as for you, Teo — 

TEODORA 

Never mind me ! That's no matter ! — what they 
say ! — A woman reckons only with God and her 
own conscience. But Julian — that pink of 
chivalry, with the pride of El Campeador ! — 
Mercedes, it would kill him — hill him ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes, and knowing that, Teo, feeling as you do, 
how could you be so — so — 

TEODORA 

What! 

MERCEDES 

Reckless — or indifferent — of what everyone thinks. 

TEODORA 

No, they can't — 

MERCEDES 

Says then — comes to the same — and more! — It 
isn't what you do, nor what people think you 
do ; it's what they say you do ! 

[39] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

But no right — or reason — 

MERCEDES 

Oh, plenty of reason — this man constantly about 
you. 

TEODORA 

With Julian! 

MERCEDES 

No, not always — Just now — when we came in — 
and found you — bien-intime — 'reading' — in the 
dusk — Julian wasn't with you — 

TEODORA 

But — here — in my home — 

MERCEDES 

And the servants? 

TEODORA 

The servants ! 

MERCEDES 

Have eyes and ears just the same as the others. 

[40] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

And can see and hear no more than the others. 
[Nods to indicate the world outside. 
Oh, but, come, Mercedes — this is too much ! 
The servants ! I begin to beheve jou mean to 
humihate me. 

MERCEDES 

No, but neither shall he — if we can help it — we 
who really care for you. Teodora, the fel- 
low's unworthy of you — not fit to tie your — 

l^Points to teodora's shoes. 

TEODORA 

[^Turning sharply. 
Mercedes, I forbid you ! 

MERCEDES, triumphantly 

There, you see ! — you flare at the first word 
against him. 

TEODORA 

Yes, a guest under our roof — Julian's closest 
friend — as dear to him almost as Severo — living 
with us in the frankest companionship — you ex- 
pect me to listen — in patience — to the chatter 

[41] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

of the servants' hall — the scandal of the streets. 

MERCEDES 

It is more than that — much more ! This preux- 
chevalier whom you defend with such fire has 
compromised Julian ruinously. 

TEODORA 

Nonsense ! 

MERCEDES 

Indeed ! You know, perhaps, Julian's appoint- 
ment has been held up? 

TEODORA 

Yes, he told me. 

MERCEDES 

And the reason.^ 

TEODORA 

He doesn't know — 

MERCEDES 

But Severo does — learned it just now at the For- 
eign Office. The gossip you make so light of — 
that you ridicule and despise — well, there they 
take it more seriously. You understand .^ 



[42] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

I begin to. 

MERCEDES 

At first they would tell Severo nothing — the usual 
diplomatic excuses and evasions. "A mere de- 
lay" — they put it. When Severo insisted — 
there were intimations, none too nice — shoulder 
shrugs — lifted eyebrows ; — and then an at- 
tempt to make a johe of it all ! 

TEODORA 

I can imagine that was enough for Severo ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes. — He demanded that they come out into the 
open and tell him exactly what this treatment 
of his brother meant. — He demanded the truth 
— and he got it ! 

TEODORA, contemptuously/ 
The truth? 

MERCEDES 

Well, what they believe the truth. And in plain, 
blunt terms, without disguise or delicacy. — Is 
that enough, Teo.? 

[43] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

No, go on. 

MERCEDES 

Well, the Capital to which Julian would be ac- 
credited, they explained, prides itself on its prim 
and precise social orders. None of our Euro- 
pean ways ! — The menage-a-trois, with its at- 
tendant gossip and eventual divorce, is quite 
unknown. — In short, their social code, over there 
is summed up in the Seventh Commandment — 
Or so they tried to make Severo believe. They 
told of an Ambassador, from a Power much 
greater than Spain, practically given his conge 
because of some vague doubt regarding a mem- 
ber of his household. The Ambassador showed 
his Emperor's decree that proclaimed his prote- 
gee princess by title and heiress to all his es- 
tates. But even that didn't satisfy his straight- 
laced censors ; and Monsieur rAmbassadeur had 
himself transferred. — Nov/ do you understand .^^ 

TEODORA, bitterly 
Quite well enough ! 

MERCEDES 

Wh}^ did Julian insist on Ernesto's appointment 
— and why did you let him? Without that 

[ 44 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

everything would have gone well. — They told 
Severo relations with the other country were 
still awkward and the Government could not 
risk a contretemps. — If here in Madrid, where 
we are not squeamish, this menage is misunder- 
stood — what chance to escape scandal over 
there ? 

TEODORA 

If Julian should know! 

MERCEDES 

He must know. — Severo's come to tell him. 



TEODORA, protesting 
But, first, let me see Julian. It is my right- 



MERCEDES 

His brother has the greater right. 

[juLiAN and SEVERO enter, talking vehe- 
mently. 

TEODORA 

[^Rushing to jitlian. 
Julian ! 

[45] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[^Indicating mercedes. 
What has she been telling you? 

MERCEDES 

Just what Severe • has been telling 7/ou. 

JULIAN 

Now, my good people, for this once I let it go, 
but you shall not — 

SEVERO 

We only tell you what they say — 

JULIAN 

They say — the2^ say — who? 

MERCEDES 

Everyone — everywhere — all the world and his 
wife ! — 

JULIAN 

They shall answer to us. 

SEVERO 

You can't fight all the world! 

[46] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

For Teodora, yes — all the world. 

MERCEDES 

Perhaps— but you can't fight his wife.— I've spok- 
en to Teo only as I would to a loved sister whom 
I saw in danger. 

JULIAN 

If there were danger, I should be the first— 

SEVERO 

No, the last to see. It is always so ! Shut your 
own eyes if you will, but you can't shut out the 
picture, here, for all the world to look at; the 
wife, young, beautiful, with a mind for moon- 
light and the mandohnata, and an idhng, dream- 
ing youth, who when he isn't lolling at her feet 
IS mooning over love stories— or writing verses 
—for Teodora to read! A fine animal to let 
loose about the house while you're at your desk 
muddhng over State afFairs— I'd as lief brin^ 
into my house the pet of the bull-ring! 

JULIAN, indignantly 
Severo, you forget the presence of my wife— 

[47] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

No — nor that she bears our name — that her hon- 
our is our own. — Let him not forget it either — 
this fellow Ernesto! 

[ernesto appears at the door in time to 
hear this: he is followed hy pepito. 

ERNESTO 

[As if to withdraw. 
I beg your pardon. 

JULIAN 

Come in — 

PEPITO 
[To TEODORA. 

Here are the tickets — the opera is 'Galeoto' — 
with a ballet, from Paris. Trala! 

TEODORA 

Thanks, Pepito. 

ERNESTO 
[To JULIAN. 

What's happened? 

[48] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN, evasively 
Why — why — why — what should happen? 

ERNESTO 

I don't know — but — I heard my name — and Teo- 
dora — she's been crying. 

JULIAN 

Women are given to that sort of thing, I believe. 

ERNESTO 

Not Teodora. What's wrong here.^^ 

TEODORA, lightly 
Nothing — nothing to speak of. 

ERNESTO 

Anything I can set right? 

JULIAN 

\^As if to dismiss the subject. 

Whatever's wrong, / am here to set it right. — 
This is her affair and mine. 

s E V E R o , significantly 
And if need be I'll make it mine ! 

[49] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

You make it mine, too — when you take that tone 
with me. — Come, Julian, you have never yet 
denied me your confidence — and I demand it 
now — since it is plain the affair directly con- 
cerns me. 

JULIAN 

Forgive me — I've been greatly disturbed. 

SEVERO 
\^To ERNESTO. 

It is the matter of his appointment. 

ERNESTO 

The delay.? 

SEVERO 

There's more than delay — they threaten to with- 
hold it entirely. And because of yoii. 

ERNESTO 

That trouble's easily gotten over. I never wished 
the post for which Julian urged me — all along 
intended to refuse it. 

[50] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

Then why didn't you? 

ERNESTO 

One doesn't decHne a diplomatic post until it is 
offered; and I knew it would never come to that 
— I knew Don Alvarez' influence would prevent 
it. 

SEVERO 

He says your father ruined him — in prestige and 
fortune. 

ERNESTO 

Yes, he did. That's one of my proudest memories. 
Alvarez was of that precious crew of army con- 
tractors who sent our soldiers to Cuba and the 
Philippines with guns of tin instead of steel, with 
sand for powder, and stole their poor rations 
until they starved. My father brought him to 
book for it. Everyone knows that. 

SEVERO 

Yes — and if it were only Alvarez — ■ 

ERNESTO 

Who else then? 

[51] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

A thousand others — half the town — every man 
and woman who has taken note of your position 
in this house. Surely, you have not been left 
in ignorance — 

ERNESTO 

Oh, no — 

SEVERO 
[To JULIAN. 

You see? 

[To ERNESTO. 

Then, even to you — ? 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

SEVERO 

And you didn't strangle the wretch.? 

ERNESTO 

I should have — only it was your son, Pepito. 

SEVERO 

Better he than another. 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

\^In a threatening tone. 
Better, perhaps, for jou. 

SEVERO 

What do you mean? What do you mean?^ 
[^Turns to pepito. 
Pepito, take your mother — 
l^Motions them to leave. 

ERNESTO 

Teodora, if you will — 

TEODORA 

[As if asking Julian's permission. 
No — I'd rather remain — may I not, Julian? 

JULIAN 

[After a glance at ernesto. 

No — let it be as Ernesto wishes — 

[Takes teodora to the door, and comes 
hack. 

Now we may as well have this out, once for all. 

[53] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

Now, Sir, you mean? — 

ERNESTO 

I mean, Don Severo — 

[At a glance from teodora, as she goes 
out, he softens his tones. 

I mean that what I heard from Pepito — some 
absurd, some petty — and all infamous — might 
better come from anyone else than one of 
Julian's kinsmen. If I did not thrust the lie 
down the throat of him who only repeated it — 
carelessly, I know — half in jest, and with no 
conscious evil — it was because he was Julian's 
kin. I could not be so patient a second time, 
even with Julian's kinsmen. — That's what I 
mean, Don Severo. 

JULIAN 

And he's right. 

[severo starts as if angry — julian con- 
tinues more gently. 

Oh, I know your devotion to me — the honesty 
of your motive — but if out there shameless per- 
sons make a gutter frolic of the reputation of 
an innocent woman and two honest men, at 

[54] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

least let us shut our door against it. — Here, 
under my roof, I have my own eyes to look after 
my own affairs — and if need arises I have steel 
and my own right arm. 

SEVERO 

And it will come to that if we let it go on. Stop 
it — I say — stop it where it is. 

JULIAN, tensely 

That we shall — you may be sure ! And in a way 
all Madrid will ring with. 

SEVERO, appeasingly 

No, no, no — that's just what we must avoid. — 
With calmness and prudence we must order this 
affair — like sensible men of the world — and not 
precipitate a new embarrassment. There is no 
need here of passion or violence — the matter is 
not beyond repair. ( Lightly.) As yet, it is 
nothing — really nothing ! 

ERNESTO 

l^With sardonic laughter, at first; then with 
rebuke, and crescent vehemence. 

'Nothing'? 'Nothing,' indeed? To nag and 
torture him with doubts and suspicion — that is 
nothing? You hurry to him with every new 

[55] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

invention of scandal and slander — but that is 
nothing! You din into his ears the malicious 
prattle of club, cafe, the very street corner — 
and that is nothing? You tell him he is threat- 
ened with shame and dishonour — destroy his 
peace of mind — kill his faith in everything he 
holds dearest and sweetest — the wife adored — 
the friend cherished — and that is nothing ! You 
drag into his house the mire of the streets — 
stamp it on his hearth-stone — and when you 
have maddened him by the infamy, you bid him 
*be calm' because 'it is nothing' — 'really noth- 
ing' ! Look — 

{^Pointing to julian. 

his face drawn by anguish — and the tears we 
saw in Teodora's eyes — they are nothing? 

SEVERO 

No, not to you — else you'd end it all. 

ERNESTO 

I'll hunt out these traducers — I only wait Julian's 
word — to begin with them. 

SEVERO 

There's a simpler way and a quicker one — leave 
here ! 

[56] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

{^Coming between them. 
Severo, I am master in this house — 



SEVERO 

[Waving julian aside; to ernes to. 
Leave here! That will end it ! 



ERNESTO 



Right ! I leave this house to-day. I leave the 
country the moment my affairs are arranged. 

JULIAN 

And I forbid one and both. — What ! Justify their 
slander — lend colour to their lies, by running 
away.f^ Let them think they've frightened us — 
or shamed us? What has come over you, Don 
Severo — to suggest such a course? 

[To ERNESTO. 

You remain here — with us — and our life goes 
on as before. — Just as before ! 

ERNESTO 

That is impossible, Julian. Things will never 
again be as they were. For no fault of our own 
— for nothing we have done — or should ever do 



[57] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

— those dear days are over. There's come into 
our hves a subtle, insidious, venomous poison, 
stronger than we are — stronger than our faith, 
our trust, stronger even than our friendship. — 
That is the meanest part of calumny — you fight 
it — you vanquish it — but you carry a scar 

[^Beats his heart. 

that never heals ! — Don Severo is right — it is 
for me to go. 

SEVERO 

Without question — and without delay. — (Disdain- 
fully.) And if you haven't the ready means, 
vaj brother will supply them. 

ERNESTO, indignantly 

Don Severo, you seem bent on insulting me! — 
You are Julian's brother, and I love him — ^but 
you presume too far — 

JULIAN, interposing 

No, no — he meant kindly. — I'm sure my brother 
doesn't forget what I owe Ernesto's father. 

SEVERO 

Repay it, then — as freely as you like — but not at 

[58] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

the price of our place before the world — and 
your career. 

JULIAN, impatiently 

I'll not listen to you. 

[Starts to leave. 

ERNESTO 

[Stopping him. 

But you must, Julian — there's no going back now 
— the mischief has been done. 

[jULiAN makes a gesture of protest. 

Oh, yes — the very words he has just spoken — 
the fact that we've had to hear them — proves it 
— and that we, in turn, speak of them, proves 
it the more. — It were folly for you and me to 
ignore a foe that has already disarmed us, even 
before we dreamed of attack, and put us at the 
mercy of malice and stupidity! 

[The last word is thrown at severo. 

SEVERO 

Call it what you please ! — But I will stop at noth- 
ing, I warn you, to end a condition I believe 
dangerous to Juhan's happiness and position. 

SERVANT, announcing 
Captain Beaulieu. 

[ 59 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 
[To SERVANT. 

Yes — show Captain Beaulieu in — then tell Ma- 
dame. 

[servant goes out. 

JULIAN 

[After a slight pause. 

Now, see to what we have come here ! Misunder- 
standing — bitterness — ugly words, where be- 
fore was good-will, and cheer, and good-fellow- 
ship. — And all through the idle gossip of people 
who care nothing for us — and we less for 
them. — Now let's have an end of it — and of 
your talk of leaving us ! 

[captain beaulieu enters: julian 
crosses to greet him. 

BEAULIEU 
\To JULIAN. 

So glad of this chance to see you before you leave. 
When do you go? 

JULIAN 

That rests with the Foreign Office, Captain. 

[60] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[juLiAN, at a nod from severo, joins 
the latter on the balcony where they walk 
to and fro, in animated conversation. 

BEAULIEU 
[To ERNESTO. 

How stands the Embassy matter? 

ERNESTO, confused 
Why — I — don't quite know — 

BEAULIEU 

Still wabbles, eh? 

ERNESTO 

I believe so, 

BEAULIEU 

I thought as much. 

ERNESTO, alert 
You've heard something? 

BEAULIEU 

[^Glances toward the others. 
No, no, but when I came in — I thought I smelt 

[61] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

powder. — But that may be only this over-sensi- 
tive, diplomatic nose of mine. — Of course, we 
never mix up in these matters — officially — but 
you know I'm awfully fond of Don Julian and 
you and Donna Teodora — and I like Donna 
Mercedes and little Pepito — all the family in 
fact, with possibly one exception — whom, of 
course, I won't mention by name, except to say 
I'd never take him for Don Julian's brother. 
But you know who's making all the trouble, 
don't you.^ 

ERNESTO 

Do you. Captain.? 

BEAULIEU 

Everyone does — it's the Marquis Alvarez. He's 
been pulling wires at our Legation — or, rather, 
trying to. — But he got precious little satis- 
faction — and I dropped a hint if that sort of 
work went on, I'd go to the Queen — she's Eng- 
lish, God bless her! — and ask fair play for 
Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Thank you — you're very good. 

[62] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

And you won't mind a bit of counsel, from a 
fellow who likes you? 

ERNESTO 

I'll be grateful. 

BEAULIEU 

Well, then — don't let Alvarez draw you. 

ERNESTO 

Draw? — What do you mean.^^ 

BEAULIEU 

Don't play into his hands by an open quarrel. 
That's his game— from what I gather — to push 
matters to an explosion — and involve Julian in 
the crash — 

ERNESTO 

Yes, so it would seem. — But it's really at me he's 
striking — over Julian's head — 

BEAULIEU 

[As if enlightened. 
Oho ! That complicates matters. 

[63] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

On the contrary — simplifies them. — Alvarez will 
quiet down the moment I'm out of the way. 

BEAULiEu, surprised 
*Out of the way!' — Where are you going, boy? 

ERNESTO 

South America — the Rio Plata region. 

BEAULIEU, gaily 

The Argentine ! I've been there. Delightful 
country ! — Almost as many rainy days as Lon- 
don. — Jolly lot of people — and excellent beef! 

[With sudden change to seriousness. 

And when did this happen .^^ 

ERNESTO 

Oh, some time ago I decided on leaving Madrid — 
My father had interests out there — mines and 
a tea-plantation — and I'm going to look up the 
stray ends of the estate — 

BEAULIEU 

Soon ? 

[64] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

I'm sailing in a week or two, at the latest. 

BEAULiEU, impulsively 
Good! 

[^Correcting himself. 
I beg your pardon — 

[teodora and mercedes, followed by 
PEPiTo, appear at the balcony-entrance. 

You understand? 

ERNESTO 

Of course — and — thanks ! 

[beaulieu goes to m^^f teodora and 

MERCEDES. 

PEPITO 

[Comes down to ernesto and leans across 
the table, half whispering. 

You're not angry with me.'' 

ERNESTO 

No, no, boy, of course not — you meant no harm. 

[65] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

Only told you those things, to put you on your 
guard. 

ERNESTO 

Yes, yes, it's all right. 
l^Turns to go. 

PEPITO, persisting 

And after all — you can't help it — you and Teo — 
if you've come to care for each other. 

ERNESTO 

[^Hardly suppressing his frenzy. 

By God ! Pepito ! Don't you say that — ever again 
— or anything like it ! 

TEODORA 

[^Entering, to captain beaulieu. 

So glad Don Ernesto thought to ask you to dine 
with us. 

BEAULIEU 

And I. Most of the Legation people are En- 
vacances. I don't know what to do with myself 
evenings. 

[66] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Then maybe you'll come on to the opera with us? 

BEAULIEU 

For your charming company — thanks. — ^What 
particular form does the trouble take to-night? 

TEG DORA, perplexed 

Why?— 

BEAULIEU 

One of my stock jokes, dear lady. — What's the 
opera, I mean? 

TEODORA 

'Galeoto.' 

BEAULIEU 

Don't know it — new? 

TEODORA 

Quite — the season's one novelty. 

BEAULIEU 

One o' those awful made-in-Germany affairs? 

[67] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Oh, no — Italy — the new school. 

BEAULIEU 

Heavy ? 

TEODORA 

Au contraire. 

[Music is heard through the balcony win- 
dows. 

There, that answers you ! The street bands 
have it now — and the barrel organs in a week. 

[All listen for a few seconds to the music. 

BEAUIilEU 

Yes, I think I'm up to that. 

SEVERO 

Do you have much opera in London.'' 

BEAULIEU 

Not enough to hurt, thank Heaven ! You know 
there never was a people who loved music who 
could fight. 

MERCEDES 

Oh, Captain — the Germans, they love music. 

[68] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAUI.IEU 

Oh, but bless you, dear lady, what they think is 
music isn't music — 

l^With assurance, 
not as me English understand music! 

TEODORA 

The Russians, then? Their composers are doing 
wonders — running away from their rivals. 

BEAULIEU 

They did that at Port Arthur, too, and at Muk- 
den — as many as could get away. — ^No — the 
best fighters we English ever met were the 
Boers — and can you imagine a Dutch Boer sing- 
ing grand-opera or playing the harp.? 

SEVER o, proudly 
But we Spaniards also love music. 

BEAULIEU 

^^Disconcerted for a moment. 

Ah, thank you — the exception that proves my 
rule. — Until this moment I never could think 
of one. 

[To TEODORA. 

Tell me — the opera to-night — in Spanish.? 

[69] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Oh, no, the original — you know Italian? 

BEAULIEU 

Not much — Vostra Eccelenza — and Bella Sig- 
norina — and of course, Chianti and that sort 
of thing. — What's it about? 

TEODORA 

Oh, no, that'll spoil the surprise. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes, but I'll spoil your evening, with no end of 
questions — and have them hissing at our box. 

TEODORA 

It's the story of Francesca and Paolo. 



I'm lost again. 



BEAULIEU 



ERNESTO 



The same story as your English Launcelot and 
Guinevere. 

BEAULIEU 

Oh, yes, I remember them — never could spell their 

[70] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

names right — But I don't recall the 'Galeoto' 
Johnny ! 

TEODORA 

He's in Dante's story. 

BEAULIEU 

The usual 'other fellow,' eh? — Sings tenor? 

ERNESTO 

No, Galeoto is the go-between — the mischief- 
maker. He brings Francesca and Paolo the 
gossip of the court — the quips and jests and 
wanton rhymes that play about them. — To each 
in turn, he tells the general report of the other's 
love — meaning no harm, of course ! Oh, no ! — 
And when they flout his story — he says: 'Look 
about you ! What does that side-glance mean, 
as you pass, the nudge — the grin — the shrug 
of shoulder — the flippant word thrown after?' 
Little by little he has Francesca and Paolo 
seriously concerned, — at first each for self, and 
then for each other ! 

TEODORA, lightly 
That's the crux of the opera ! 

BEAULIEU, approvingly 
Pretty idea ! 

[71] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

l^Continuing with more fervour. 

In the end, you see a man and woman, at first 
indifferent, thrown into each other's arms, ut- 
terly despite themselves, by the subtle, insidious, 
fiendish power of trifles. — The arch passion 
flaming up in souls that, unfanned hy scandal^ 
would have flickered on forever, harmlessly, in- 
nocently — ignorant of evil — except for 'Gale- 
oto'— 

SEVERO 

Who, if the truth were known, only did his duty. 

BEAULIEU 

Well, I call him a rotter, a perfect rotter ! — Sings 
bass, I'll wager. 

SEVERO, drily 

For all that, Captain, the world will always be- 
lieve 'where there's smoke there's fire.' 

BEAULIEU 

Yes — but what the world takes for smolce is very 
often nothing but dust kicked up by a lot of 
busy-bodies. 

[72] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Turning to ernesto. 
I thought I smelt powder! 

[footmen draw aside the curtains of the 
balcony-doors, disclosing the dinner-table, 
splendid with silver, candelabra and flow^ 
ers. Suspended above the table is a large 
antique lantern. 

FIRST FOOTMAN, advancing 
Dinner is served ! 

[tEODORA, ERNESTO, CAPTAIN BEAU- 
LIEU and PEPiTo walk slowly toward the 
balcony, chatting animatedly. They stop 
by the open doors. 

MERCEDES 
\To JULIAN. 

Oh, we dine on the balcony? 

JULIAN 

You think it's too cool? 

MERCEDES 

No, but — 

\^In a lower voice. 
Where everyone can see? 

[73] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

\_With a surprised look at severo. 
Well, upon my word! 

SEVERO 

You know the Alvarez live just across the street. 

MERCEDES 

l^With a nod toward ernesto and teo- 

DORA. 

And they watch every little thing that goes on 
here. 

JULIAN 

Well, what of it? What goes on here they 
shouldn't see? They or anyone else — - 

[mercedes shrugs her shoulders. 

Do you suppose I'm going to alter my house, 
my ways — because loose tongues and light 
minds choose to — 

MERCEDES 

No, of course not ! But since they are all so eager 
to talk, why give them any excuse, even the 
flimsiest ? 

[74] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

If for nothing else, to show how we despise their 
talk — how little it touches us. — This house 
might be of glass for all they could see to our 
discredit. 

\^C ailing. 

Captain BeauHeu, will you take in the Donna 
Mercedes ? 

[beaulieu gives his arm to Merce- 
des. 

Ernesto — 

[ernes TO continues in lively conversation 
with TEGDORA, and takes no notice. 

[//i a louder tone. 

Ernesto ! 

[ernes TO still does not hear. 
[Calling again with some temper. 
Ernesto ! 

ERNESTO 

[Lightly, turning and coming to him. 
Hello, what is it? 

[75] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

I called you three times. 

ERNESTO 

I beg pardon — I didn't hear — we were so inter- 
ested — 

JULIAN 

Evidently — yes ! 

ERNESTO 

\^After a pause. 
Well, well, Julian — what do you wish? 

JULIAN 

[Looking at him closely. 

Why — take in Teodora ! 

[ernesto and teodora join the others 
on the balcony. 

JULIAN 

\To SEVERO, after a pause. 
What do you suppose they were talking about? 

SEVERO, viciously 
'Galeoto,' of course! 

[ iQ ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Gazing after them. 
Did you notice — he didn't hear me? 

SEVEBO 

You called him only three times. 

JULIAN 

Yes, three times I had to call him. — I wonder why 
— h'm — Severo, why? 

[Seizes sever o's hand, tensely. 

SEVEitO 

[With a smile of triumph. 
Ah, you're beginning to see — at last! 

JULIAN 

[Pulling himself together. Passes his right 
hand over his brow as if to get rid of an 
ugly thought. 

No, no, no ! 

[Drops SEVERO 's hand excitedly. 

There's nothing to see. Only for a moment — 
God forgive me — I caught your madness — 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

{^Calling from the balcony. 
Julian. 

JULIAN 

Come — they're waiting — and, brother, 

[^Lightly. 

never again, if you love me, one word of these 
— phantoms ! 

[Laughingly. 

— phantoms ! 

[There is animated chatter and laughter at 
the table. 



CURTAIN 



[78] 



ACT II 



The Scene is Ernesto's lodgings, in a small 
hotel attached to a popular cafe. The furnish- 
ings, though meagre and time-worn, give the 
room the air of a studio. Double doors at the 
right lead to the public hallway: at the back, 
towards the left, is a similar door opening into 
the bedroom, while towards the right there is a 
casement window, with a striped awning, aiid a 
flower-box on the sill. On the left, a door leads 
into a corridor which is set at an angle. 

The general appearance of the room indicates 
preparations for Ernesto's departure : the book- 
cases are almost emptied of their contents, and the 
mantelpiece stripped of pictures and photographs. 
On the floor are trunks and boxes, some open, some 
closed and strapped. Clothes and other articles 
are scattered about. 

When the curtain rises, ernesto is putting 
books and papers in a travelling bag. genaro 
enters, humming or singing the waltz from **Gal- 
eoto,'' which the band is playing in the cafe gar- 
den below. He breaks off the song instantly on 
seeing ernesto. 



[79] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

EENESTO 

Who is it, Genaro? 

GENARO 

The young Don Pepito. 

PEPITO 

[Entering hrishly. 
Are jou in, Ernesto? 

ERNESTO 

Of course, boy ! 

PEPITO 

[Indicating genaro. 
He wasn't certain — Beauheu's waiting below — 

[Goes to the door and calls out. 

Captain ! Only one more flight ! 

[Signals to him. 

ERNESTO 
[To GENARO. 

Ask Captain Beaulieu to be good enough to come 
up — and, Genaro, close the window — 

[80] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

Excellent music, to-day, sir. 

PEPITO 

They're playing 'Galeoto.' 

ERNESTO 

Yes, yes — but I don't care to hear it, to-day — 

[genaro, in response to a gesture from 
ERNESTO, closes the window and goes out. 

PEPITO 

l^With feeling. 
No more do I, Ernesto — 

[^Noting the preparations for departure. 
Can't that wait? 

ERNESTO 

No — they'll be coming for the trunks, presently. 
—Why? 

PEPITO 

Oh, I don't know — but somehow — 
l^T ouches his eye furtively. 
I don't like to see you — When do you go? 

[81] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

To-night — I leave Madrid — forever! 

PEPITO, protesting 
Oh, no ! 

EENESTO, firmly 
Yes, Pepito — forever! 

[genaro is heard singing. 
There's Beaulieu. 

BEAULIEU 

l^Heard speaking to genaro. 
All right — I'll find my way. 

\_Enters, breathing hard and fanning him- 
self. 

Regular song-bird, isn't he, that landlord? 
What's the idea ? 

ERNESTO 

An old custom of the house, he says — handed 
down from father to son. 

[ 82 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAUIilEU 

[Throwing himself in a chair, wearily. 
Pretty idea ! 

[Fanning himself. 

By Jove, three years in India take it out of a 
fellow ! 

PEPiTo, chaffingly 

Not you ! At an Embassy ball I've seen you dance 
half the men off the floor. 

BEAUIilEU 

Oh, that's in the line of duty, my boy. 

[Crosses to ernesto. 

But climbing three flights of stairs to bid hon 
voyage to a fellow you're fond of, is mere 
pleasure! 

ERNESTO 

Really, Captain .? 

BEAULIEU 

Well, you know what I mean. — But I'm hoping 
Julian may induce you to change your plans. 

ERNESTO 

Nothing could induce me to remain in Madrid. 

[83] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

But go with him, I mean. — The Embassy matter's 
settled, you know. 

ERNESTO 

[Somewhat embarrassed. 

No — I — I — haven't seen Julian for some days. — 
I must send him a line at once — to tell him 
how glad I am — 

[Sits at the desk preparing to write. 
He might have let me know. 

[ Writes. 

BEAULIEU 

It was announced only this morning — at least, 
we only got the news then at our legation. 

ERNESTO 

[As he writes. 

Thank you for bringing me word. It will lighten 
my dismal journey immensely. For all his seem- 
ing not to care, I know Julian's heart was set 
on this appointment. 

PEPITO 

And he can thank you for it. 

[84] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO, laughing 
How on earth do I figure in it? 

PEPITO 

Just because you're out of it. Why, the moment 
it got about that you weren't going as Secre- 
tary, all opposition ended, and Julian's appoint- 
ment was confirmed. Isn't that so. Captain .^^ 

BEAULIEU, curtly 

Don't know anything about it. 

PEPITO 

Well, anyway, that's what they say. 

ERNESTO 

l^Sealing the note. 
Oh, 'that's what they say.?' 
\_Rises. 

PEPITO 

Yes, and they say, too — Alvarez is raging — 
You've cut the ground from under his feet. 

ERNESTO 
[To BEAULIEU. 

You see I was right, Captain. 

[85] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAU LIEU, nodding 

I suppose so. — I say, it's to Buenos Ayres you're 
going ? 

ERNESTO 

For a while, yes. 

BEAULIEU 

I've brought you letters to some people out there 
— may be of service — until you get acquainted — 

[^Running through three or four letters. 

These chaps '11 put you up at a club or two — 
and this letter's to my sister and her husband 
— he's in our Legation there. Trump of a fel- 
low! 

ERNESTO 

[^Deeply moved. 

Letters to your people !— Beaulieu, I don't dare to 
tell you how grateful I am — 

PEPiTo, exuberantly 
I'll do it for you — 

[Takes a step toward beaulieu. 

Captain, if you were a Spaniard, like Ernesto 
and myself — I'd kiss you. 

[ 86 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAU LIEU, retreating 

Pretty idea ! — But there's nothing Spanish in my 
family ! 

PEPITO 

I'm going to tell my father what you've done. 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty idea, too ! 

\_With some temper. ^ 
But I don't think you need bother. 

PEPITO 

[^With feeling. 
Oh, don't blame my father for what's happened — 

\_To ERNESTO. 

You don't, Ernesto.'^ 

ERNESTO 

l^With kindness. 

No one's to blame — and nothing has happened. 

[ 87 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

It would have — if you'd stayed here — and the talk 
kept up. There was bound to be a quarrel with 
somebody. 

ERNESTO, bitterly 
Yes, with somebody. 

PEPITO 

Alvarez, probably. 

ERNESTO, listlessly 
Yes — Alvarez — 

PEPITO 

And my father wanted to avoid that. 

BEAULiEU, explosively 

Then, why in thunder didn't he mind his own — 

[With a sudden change of tone, as if to 
himself. 

Pretty idea — why don't I? 

ERNESTO 

[As if explaining to beaulieu. 

After all, Don Severo may really believe he's act- 
ing for the best. 

[88] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

Mj father's of the old school — he hasn't travelled, 
Beaulieu, like you and I — hasn't seen the world 
— the great world. Some of his notions I don't 
approve — 

BEAULIEU, chafjingly 

No? 

PEPITO 

Wears low collars at the opera — and won't have 
the champagne iced. — But, between ourselves, 
here — I'm not so certain he's wrong in this 
matter. 

ERNESTO 

[Pausing in his work of putting things in 
a trunk. 



What do you mean, Pepito.? 



PEPITO 



Well, of course, the world says you musn't watch 
your wife — or keep a curb on her. — You must 
let her do as she pleases. Because, if you don't, 
she will, anyway — and a bit more so ! Well, 

[89] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

some fine morning — or evening — she does do as 
she pleases, and then the world says: 'Well, it 
served her husband right! What could he ex- 
pect? He always let her do just as she 
pleased!' 

GENARO, entering 

A messenger from Senor Moreno. 

ERNESTO 

Yes? 

GENARO 

He's waiting for you at the Alcazar Cafe. 

ERNESTO 

Yes — say I'll be over at once — And, have this sent 
immediately. 

[genaro goes out. 

BEAULiEU, questioning 
Moreno? Who's he? 

ERNESTO 

The steamship agent — to arrange about my ticket 
and baggage — 

[Takes his hat as if to go. 

I won't be long — 

[90] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

[Stopping him. 
The Alcazar! Oh, don't go over there — 

ERNESTO 

But I've an appointment — 

PEPITO 

Well, I'll go for jou — 

ERNESTO 

But — why ? 

PEPITO 

You're sure to run into Alvarez and his crowd — • 
they're always there — 

ERNESTO 

Well?— 

BEAULIEU 

Pepito's right. — Let him go for you. 

ERNESTO 

Nonsense! I'll only be there a few minutes. 

[91] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAUIilEU 

Well, then, I'll go with you. 

ERNESTO 

[^Fondly, with arm on beaulieu's shoul- 
der. 

Dear old Beaulieu — 

[Laughing lightly. 

You'd think I was still a boy. 

BEAULIEU 

Gad ! You Latin fellows never get over being 
boys. Come along ! 

ERNESTO 

[At the door. 

Pepito, while I'm gone, you might throw some 
things in that chest, for me — those books — 

[Points to the hooks on the table. 
the pictures — 

[Points to the pictures on the cabinet. 

any odds and ends — if you will. — And, Pepito, 
in the room at the end of that corridor — 

[92] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[^Goes to the door on the left, and indicates 
room. 

you'll find my foils and fencing traps — will you 
fetch them, like a good fellow ? 

[^Goes out with beaulieu. 

PEPITO 

Yes, I'll have them ready. 

\^He gathers together various articles from 
the table and hook-cases and puts them in 
the travelling-chest and trunks. Now and 
then he stops and listens to the music heard 
very faintly from the cafe below. He goes 
to the window, and opens it, so that the 
music is heard more distinctly. Going to the 
cabinet, he picks up two or three picture- 
frames and looks at them. 

Ernesto's father — Don Florio — 

l^Looks at another. 

One of me — taken in Havana — Don Julian — 
and the frame's mate empty. Teo's picture 
used to be there. Well, he's right — better keep 
reminders out of sight. 

[93] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Puts frames in one of the chests. Picks 
up a book from the table n£ar-by, and 
reads the title — ^ Dante — The Divine Com- 
edy: 

[A photograph falls from the book. He 
picks it up, and looks at it. 

H'm — Teo — Trala, she is a beauty! I don't 
wonder Julian is in love with her. 

[Pause. 

And it wouldn't be a wonder if Ernesto — We'll 
put it back in the book — 

[As he does so he notices writing on the 
back of the picture. 

Verses — Ernesto's writing — No — not verses — 

[Reads. 

'Now and then, Fate leads two weak humans 
face to face, and says "You twain are mates" 
— "You belong together — body and soul" — 
And when that happens — as with Francesca and 
Paolo— faith — loyalty, pride are vain words. 
Love doesn't heed them, nor even hear them. 
When that happens — ' 

[genaro is heard singing. 

[Continuing, as he puts the picture in the 
[94] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

book, and throws the book into a tru/nh, 
which he closes mth a bang. 

'When that happens' — trunks can't be packed 
too quickly ! 

[^Goes out hastily through the door open- 
ing into the corridor. 

[gen ARC enters, humming or singing as 
usual, followed by julian and severo. 

JULIAN 

l^Looking about. 
Don Ernesto is out? 

GENARO 

Would seem so. 

[Resumes singing and crosses to the door 

of the bed-room, looking in. 
Not in his bed-room, either. He must just have 
gone. 

SEVERO 

[Annoyed by the singing. 
If you please, my good fellow — 

GENARO, turning 
I beg pardon, a custom of the house — A custom of 

[95] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

the house, Sir — understood by our regular 
guests, and I believe appreciated. 

JULIAN 

Don Ernesto is expected back soon? 

GENARO 

Doubtless — at least, I hope so. 
[Holds up a letter. 
Here's a message — just come — marked 'urgent.' 

JULIAN 

We'll wait ! 

[pEPiTO enters, carrying fencing foils, 
masks, etc. 

SEVERO, surprised 
You here? 

PEPITO 

Helping Ernesto pack his traps. 

[To JULIAN. 

You wish to see him? 

JULIAN 

At once. 

[ 96 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

I'll send word to the Alcazar Cafe. 
[pEPiTO puts foils in case, 

PEPiTO, turning 

He's gone to meet the steamship agent about his 
baggage and tickets. 

JULIAN 

You go— tell him we are here— ask him to come 
as soon as possible. 

[Recalls pepito. 
And, Pepito, tell him he's to cancel his steam- 
ship ticket — stop preparations for leaving — 
he's not going — 

[With a glance at seveuo. 

tell him / said so — Be quick about it. 

PEPITO 

I'll run every step. 

[Goes out hastily. 

SEVEE.O 

[Recalling genaro, who is about to fol- 
low PEPITO. 
Don Ernesto is sailing? — 

[97] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

To-morrow. 

SEVEEO 

[^As if to himself. 
Good. 

GENAEO 

His trunks are 'most ready now. He goes to-night 
to Cadiz — there takes the steamer El Cid for 
Buenos Ayres. 

SEVERO 

[Half to himself. 
Fresh wind to his sail and good speed ! 

GENARO 

You are friends of Don Ernesto.? 

[sever o makes a sign of impatience, 

JULIAN 

Yes, Oh, yes. 

[98] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

Well, permit me to say, gentlemen, your friend is 
a gentleman. You may take my word for it. 
A complete gentleman. 

SEVEEO 

In Don Ernesto's name we thank you. 

GENAEO 

Yes, gentlemen, a complete gentleman. Even 
though he drinks Httle wine and that rather 
cheap, he is a gentleman — you may take my 
word for it — no matter what they say. — Of 
course, a person in my position is in the way of 
hearing a lot of gossip. 

[jULiAN crosses the room as if to get out 
of hearing of what is lihely to follow. 

But I know enough not to repeat the stuff. — 
They say for instance — they say — 

SEVERO 

Yes, they say.? — 

JULIAN 

[As if to dismiss genaro. 
We don't care what they say. 

[ 99 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

No more do I, Sir. He's young, clever, good-look- 
ing and if, as they say — 

\^He places the sealed note on the table, so 
that it can he readily seen by seveeo. 

some charming lady chooses to make a fool of 
her old husband, why — I'm sure Don Ernesto 
v/ill show himself — a — a — perfect gentleman. 
You may take my word for it, gentlemen. 

JULIAN 

\_With a gesture of dismissal. 

Yes, we'll take your word if you'll be good enough 
to take your leave. 

GENARO 

[^TaJces the sherry-decanter from the buffet, 
and puts it on the table. 

Certainly. — A glass of Xeres, perhaps, while you 
wait "? 

JULIAN 

No, thank you. — If you'll tell Don Ernesto as soon 
as he enters — 

[100] J 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

GENARO 

Certainly — ^And will the gentlemen call the young 
gentleman's attention to this note — here on the 
table? It came just after he'd gone. 
\_Goes out, 

JUI.IAN 

[LooMng after genaro, and then at 

SEVERO. 



They say' — 'they say 



1' 



SEVERO 

[Takes the note and thrusts it under Ju- 
lian's eyes. 
Do you wonder? 

JULIAN, surprised 
Teodora ! 

SEVERO 

[Turning the letter. 
Her writing — her seal ! 

JULIAN 

[Tal^es the letter and looJcs at it dubiously. 
After all — a farewell. 

[101] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO, cynically 
Rubbish — A rendezvous ! 

JULIAN, savagely 
Severo — is there no hmit to your — 

SEVERO 

[As if in challenge. 
Read it — read it! 

JULIAN 

[As if to break the seal of the letter. 
Yes, if only to prove — No! 

[Puts the letter back on the table. 
That were the last meanness! 

SEVERO 

Then give it back — unopened — or I shall. 

[Approaches the letter. 

JULIAN, interposing 

It isn't yours to dispose of — nor mine. — ^Leave it! 
I'm not afraid. 

SEVERO 

But, by God, I am afraid, I own it. 

[ 102 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

And I, too, am afraid — 

SEVERO 

Then, why — 

JULIAN 

But Teodora shall not know I'm afraid. For I'm 
not afraid of her — of her love — her loyalty. — 
But I am afraid of myself — of you — and Mer- 
cedes — Pepito — afraid of what all this fear — 
and doubt — suspicion — and questioning may 
work with her — 

[sEVERo makes a gesture of impatience, 

JULIAN, continuing 

Most of all afraid lest she discover that my heart 
shelters this story that my lips deny and my in- 
telligence rejects. — I know Teodora — as no one 
else knows her — She is the proudest creature in 
the world — If I must lose her love, I'll take good 
care not to gain her contempt. 

SEVERO 

There's something worse ! 

[ 103 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



JULIAN 



No, thafs the worst ! Severo, a woman may de- 
spise her lover, and still love him, but once she 
despises her husband ! — 



SEVEHO 



Despise, indeed! Because you act the part of 
prudence and common sense — Because you shut 
out temptation — opportunity — from a wife 
young, beautiful and damnably romantic — In 
such a case, caution is not cowardice — it's a 
compliment. 

JULIAN 

To a woman like Teodora, it's an insult. She's 
shown it — from the moment that man left us — 

SEVERO 

He went of his own accord. 

JULIAN 

But / let him go — When I should have barred the 
door, and said 'No, no, I forbid it ! The 
stories are lies ! These dangers are phantoms 
conjured by mischief or malice — They'll scurry 
back to the hell from which they came, if we 
but look them straight in the face' — That, 
Severo, would have been the thing to do. 



[ 104 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



SEVERO 



No! Cest magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la 
guerre! — Yes, if Teodora didn't love him — and 
he her. 

JUIilAN 

[Approaching sever o, almost threaten- 
ingly. 
Have you gone mad? You believe that? 
[Turns. 
No ! No ! 

[Throws himself in a chair. 

SEVERO, coldly 

It is no kindness to keep the truth from you now. 
You are fighting not only Kes and phantoms — 
that were easy enough! — ^but there's come into 
the hearts of this man and woman a resistless 
and relentless longing — 

JULIAN, appealingly 
No, brother — 

SEVERO 

Your courage and chivalry — her pride — Ernesto's 
faith — if he have any — mean nothing now. 
They love. 

[105] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

No, no, you are wrong — Ask Mercedes — 

SEVERO 

You ask Mercedes — Trust a woman to read that 
secret. 

JULIAN, rises 

And I let him go. And you — i/ou — my brother,, 
who vows he loves and honours me — you stood 
by and saw me fall into that abyss of infamy 
and folly — You urged — demanded — that he go t 

SEVERO 

Yes, and I'll not know an hour's peace until he's 
gone. 

JULIAN 

And I'll not know a moTnenfs peace, after he's; 
gone. 

SEVERO 

For all that, he must go! 
[Sits at the table. 

JULIAN 

No, he must stay! 

[106] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

But, why — if she loves him — why? 

\_With anger, and rehelliously. 

Thafs why! — If I send him away I send her heart 
and her soul with him — if what you say is true. 
There remains here, with me, the empty form 
of a woman — who shudders at my approach — 
whose lips chill under mine — whose arms deny 
response to my embrace — whose eyes, cold and 
pitiless, will never know a tear except for him — 
the lover, forced from her by the husband, jeal- 
ous and disdained! Severo — I'm a proud man, 
with reverence for the name I bear, but rather 
than that torture — dishonour! 

SEVERO 

But with him away, your house is safe. — And your 
career, too ! Events at the Foreign Office make 
that clear enough; the instant he's eliminated, 
your appointment's confirmed! 

JULIAN 

Yes — and on such terms, though only implied, I 
declined it ! — I'll make no compromise with slan- 
der — ^not for an Embassy to the Kingdom of 
Heaven ! — And as for Ernesto — 

[^Sits, opposite severo. 
[107] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

He stays, I tell you ! I can fight the man of 
flesh and blood — fight him with my perfect faith 
— my devotion to her, my adoration, but I can't 
fight the ideal creature she would raise up to 
take his place once he's gone from here. I can 
fight the man — I can't fight the martyr, haloed 
by her imagination and her pity — He stays — 
and I fight! 



You'll lose. 
No, no ! 



SEVERo, grimly 



JULIAN 



SEVERO 

Alas! Yes — you'll lose! 

JULIAN 

[^Hitting the table with his hand. 

Be it then ! — I lose — if some purpose of God or 
devil wills it so — But I lose to a man — not a 
shadow ! 

[sEAUiiiEu and pepito enter. 

PEPITO 

\To BEAULiEU, indicating jul-ian and 

SEVERO. 

Oh, they're still here — 

[ 108 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

[To JULIAN and severo. 
Waiting for Ernesto? 

SEVERO 

To take our leave — 

[With a glance at julian. 
He's going to-night ! 

PEPITO 

If he's lucky ! 

[beaulieu nudges pepito and motions 
'silence.^ 

JULIAN 

[Seeing the movement. 
Lucky ! 

PEPITO, confused 
I — I — mean if nothing stops him. 

SEVERo, decisively 
Nothing will stop him. 

[ 109 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAUIilEU 

I wish I felt as certain about it. 

SEVEEO 

You may. 

BEAtJLIEU I ,M^%4M^ 

Oh, I've seen him with the foils — this Alvarez. 

JULIAN, alert 
Alvarez! Ernesto and he — 

PEPiTo, stammering 

Why, yes, but — but — you weren't to know. 

JULIAN 

But now we do know. They've quarrelled — 
where ? 

PEPITO 

At the Alcazar — before a crowd — 

SEVEEO 

The shame of it! — Ernesto sought the — 

BEAULIEU 

No, no! Did his best to avoid it. Had an ap- 
pointment there, some business about his sail- 
ing. Alvarez and his friends had just risen to 

[110] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

go when they caught sight of Ernesto — they 
turned from their table to take another near 
ours — and then they began ! — 

JULIAN 

Yes, go on — 

BEAULIEU 

\^Shrugs his shoulders. 

Oh, you know that crowd — what they can do, 
what they can say, over a table; kill a reputa- 
tion between every cigarette puff and bring on 
a fresh victim with every change of glasses. 
Under their hands the marble slab becomes a 
dissecting board. And when they've done, it 
might better serve as a tombstone for the good 
names they've ruined. 

SEVERO 

Ernesto should have left — 

JULIAN, thunderingly 
No! No! 

BEAULIEU 

He tried every way to avoid them — pretended not 
to notice. Looked only at Pepito and me — 

[ 111 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE: 

chattered like a magpie about everything and 
nothing — the weather, the opera, the ship he's 
saihng on. But Alvarez wouldn't have it — 
laughed in his face, raised his voice, pointed at 
him ! — I changed my place so as to get between 
him and Ernesto — and with that the cur cried 
out — a name ! 

PEPITO 

Yes, so everyone heard — the whole room-full! 

BEAULIEU 

No holding Ernesto after that ! 

JULIAN 

He struck him, then? 

PEPITO 

No, not yet — he wanted to be sure, quite sure. 
He crossed to Alvarez' table, quivering like a 
leaf, so he could hardly speak. 'Who dares,' 
he asked, 'ridicule an honourable man?' ^You, 
his friend* — Alvarez shouted — 'you do — you, 
and the Donna' — 

JUIilAN 

Teodora — Great God! 

[112] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

No, he didn't saj it! His lips closed with 
Ernesto's blow. 

SEVERO 

With glove? 

PEPITO 

[^Interrupting gleefully. 

'Glove' nothing! tout-a-fait Anglais — ^Le boxe 
— bing ! 

[With a gesture indicating a stiff blow on 
the chin. 

[To BEAUIilEU. 

The upper slice, eh? 

BEAULIEU 

Cut, upper cut. 

PEPITO, continuing 

Alvarez clean over the table — on the floor — 
glasses, bottles, chairs. His friends put him on 
his feet — and in ten minutes all the details were 
arranged. 

JULIAN, joyously 

Good ! And Ernesto's seconds ? 

[113] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

The Marquis Acedo and Mario Sanchez. 

JULIAN 

Friends of Alvarez? 

PEPITO 

Wasn't time to find others. 

BEAULIEU 

I offered — but Ernesto said 'no', I'd get in trou- 
ble with my government — 

JULIAN 

And when — to-morrow ? 

PEPITO 

No, Alvarez asked for to-morrow, but Ernesto 
insisted to-day. 

JULIAN 

The hour.? 

PEPITO, hesitating 

Ernesto forbade — 

JULIAN 

iLest I take his place! — The time, Pepito. 

[ 114 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAUiiiEU, interposing 



No, Pepito. 
But, why? 



JULIAN 



BEAULIEU 



You're playing Alvarez' game for him. — Don't 
you see? — This is the very thing he wanted — 
an open esclandre! — Just what he's been intrigu- 
ing for. Up to now he's been fighting you with 
dirty tattle — gutter gossip — that everyone 
knew to be lies ! But now — with a duel to dig- 
nify the talk — he has a different weapon. He 
has sworn you shall not have this appointment. 
He is a violent, desperate man — will go to any 
lengths to have his way — and you're playing 
right into his hands ! He involves you in scan- 
dal so notorious and possibly so tragic — no 
government dare ignore it. A duel with a rat 
like that — By Jove ! — It's sacrilege to honest 
steel ! 

SEVERO 

It is the Spanish way — for all we love music ! 

BEAULIEU 

Yes, but if you don't mind my saying so, your 
Spanish way is like your Spanish wine — out of 
fashion! Picturesque, your Spanish ways, but 

[115] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

like your old castles very uncomfortable. Now, 
in my country — 

SEVERO 

Cold blood — all of you ! 

BEAULIEU 

Not all of us — don't you believe it! Scandal 
doesn't bother about the latitude. This sort 
of thing happens with us, too — but we manage 
differently and, I believe, better. See — herCy 
a scamp does his best to injure you — smirches 
your good name — spreads ill and lying reports 
— and to avenge yourself — to punish him — you 
let him poke six inches of cold steel into your 
ribs. Pretty idea, if you like — but bad busi- 
ness! 

SEVERO 

But an affair of honour — 

BEAULIEU 

Oh, hang it, my dear fellow, honour is a thing 
within one's self — in one's own watch and ward. 
Heaven forbid it should be at the mercy of every 
flippant tongue and evil mind. 

JULIAN 

\In a tone that indicates he has already 
answered his own question. 

What shall one do with such a man as Alvarez? 

[ 116 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Just what Ernesto did — and more of the same 
sort ! Cane him, kick him, brand him — Jcill him 
if you hke — but don't let the devil kill you! 
And that's just what he'll do if you give him 
the chance. 



JULIAN, grimly 



No, he will not. 



BEATTT.TETT 

My God, he will ! He's the strongest arm, the 
quickest wrist, in Madrid, to-day. 

JULIAN 

But not to-morrow — I promise you that. 

[To PEPITO. 

When do they meet, Pepito? 

PEPITO 

[^After a frightened glance at severo. 
Why — why — four o'clock. 

JULIAN 

[To SEVERO, glancing hurriedly at his 
•watch. 

We have just time — come! 

[ 117 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 
[^To PEPITO. 

You've blundered, my boy. 

PEPITO 

O SEVERO. 

Have I, father — blundered? 

JULIAN, joyously 
Blundered ! 

\_With his hands on pepito's shoulders. 

You dear, delightful boy — you've done the best 
day's work of your life — 

[Turning to severo. 

Severo — if anything happens to me — whatever 
happens — good or bad — half of everything I 
have is Pepito's — all, if he wants it — and my 
eternal gratitude besides ! 

SEVERO 

For what? Planning this holiday? 

JULIAN 

It is a holiday ! 

[118] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULiEu, warningly 

Please, please, Don Julian, don't underrate your 
opponent. When you face Alvarez — 

JULIAN 

[/7^ a sort of nervous ecstasy. 

Anything, or anyone, just so it is someone ! Great 
God, think of the relief — the relief ! Until this 
moment, the calumny that was all about me, 
dogging my footsteps, invading my home, 
seated at my table, stalking by my bed, pursu- 
ing me, asleep, awake — every minute of the day 
and night — until this moment, I could not reach 
it or lay hands on it. It was nothing — no one ! 
Because it was everyone. But now, this subtle, 
elusive, poisonous mist — this will-o'-the-wisp 
that stung me, escaped, and mocked me — now 
it has taken a body, shape and being, whom 
I can lay hands on and hold face to face ! It 
is no longer a ghost — It's a man — Alvarez 1 
Do you wonder I am overjoyed.'^ — Come, 
Severo ! 

[Goes out quickly with his arm in seve- 
ro 's ; their voices are heard, mingled with 
laughter, as they pass down the hall-way. 

BEAULIEU 

[Calling after julian. 
God be with you — gallant gentleman. The other — 

[119] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Pointing downward. 
Will be with Alvarez. 
[After a pause , to pepito. 
We've done it, my boy, 

PEPITO 

No — it's all right — Alvarez won't fight Julian — 
not until he's met Ernesto. 

BEAULIEU 

Are you sure? 

PEPITO 

Of course — it's the code! 

BEAULIEU 

Much he cares for the code — that blackguard! 

PEPITO 

[With an air of authority. 

Oh, well, Captain — Alvarez may be blackguard, 
as you say, but for all that, he's gentleman. 
Why, can't you see? Suppose he allowed Ju- 
lian to kill or disable him — that wouldn't be fair 
to Ernesto. He has the prior right. 

[ 120 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

[Holding up a glass of sherry. 
Here's he'll make the most of it! 

PEPITO 

And if not — Julian can take care of himself. This 
Alvarez, you know what he is? — what they say 
in London — a cat ! A bouncer ! 

BEAULIEU 

Cad, Pepito, cad — and bounder — not bouncer! 

PEPITO 

You know what I mean — he boasts and blusters. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes, you've a lot here like that — ^boast and blus- 
ter, but, hang it ! when they get a sword in their 
hand, they're as good as their word — and bet- 
ter. 

PEPITO 

He'll have to be — when Ernesto knows that Julian 
follows him — 

BEAULIEU 

He mustn't know. 

[121] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

But he's sure to learn — 

BEAULIEU 

After his own affair — well and good ! But not 
one word now — would only unnerve him — excite 
him — 

PEPITO 

\^As if struck hy an idea. 
Beaulieu — I don't care what people say — you're 
no fool ! 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty idea! Thank you kindly — And if you'll 
accept it as mere courtesy, I'll return the com- 
pliment — provided you follow my counsel and 
say nothing to disturb Ernesto. — The poor fel- 
low has more than his share, now — and for 
what? What has he done — ? 

PEPITO 

Captain — I can speak with you frankly — you are 
our friend — and a man of the world — as I am. 

[beaulieu adjusts his monocle quizz- 
ingly and turns to pepito, mho does the 
same. 

Yes, I have travelled — Ernesto, no — nor my 

[ 1!32 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

people — except in summer, to San Sebastian, 
for the sea-bath — but I have seen Hfe — the 
high-Hfe — the great world. I passed one whole 
winter in Havana — in my uncle's bank — before 
the Yankees came — with their narrow ideas and 
open plumbing — and I tell you, Ernesto and 
Teodora — 

BEAULIEU 

[With uplifted hand, and turning away. 
If you please, I'd rather not. 

PEPITO 

No — it is nothing ! Only they've not been — what 
you say in London — clever. — Why, with my 
own eyes, I've seen — 

BEAULIEU 

[Stopping PEPITO, with a gesture. 

Well, no use telling me ! — Because I never believe 
anything I don't see with my own two eyes — ► 
and then I only believe one-half of that, be- 
cause — 

[Indicating his monocled eye. 

this one eye's a blinker! 

PEPITO 

Well, — they should have been prudent. One owes 

[123] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

that to one's friends. — Here, in Madrid, life is 
not varied — people are hard put for amusement 
— diversion — Yes, the bull-fight, opera, theatre, 
dance — but the same story, the year round. 
But the gossip, that is always new. 

BEAULiEU, interrupting 

There's been no ground for gossip — long as I've 
been in Madrid, I don't believe I've ever seen 
Donna Teodora and Ernesto alone, in public — 
yes, once, perhaps. 

PEPITO 

Precisely ! But if a hundred persons saw them 
that once, it is just the same as if one person 
saw them a hundred times — or fifty persons 
twice — or twenty persons five times. And they 
run to tell their families — and they, in turn, tell 
the neighbours — and then they tell — 

BEAULIEU 

[Hitting the table mith his hand. 

They! They! 

[^Rising. 

Do you know what 'they' stands for.^^ It's 
the family-name of Ananias and Sapphira ! — 

[ 124] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

Yes — it was the name on their door-plate and 
visiting cards. In the parish registry of their 
time, it read: 'Ananias and Sapphira They.^ 
And when the Lord struck them down, in the 
midst of their last gigantic whopper — and you 
may be sure it was about some decent man and 
woman — the newspapers reported the sudden 
taking off of Mr. and Mrs. They — known to 
their friends as Ananias and Sapphira ! 

PEPITO 

But that isn't in the Bible ! 

BEAULIEU 

No — ^because the name is of such evil and malig- 
nant portent, the Good Book wouldn't repeat 
it — 'They !' 'They !' By Jove, I never hear 
the word that I don't want to cross my fingers 

[Crosses his fingers. 

and repeat the Litany with an added clause — 
'Good Lord, deliver us from They!* 

[eunesto enters. 

ERNESTO 
[To PEPITO. 

Hello, boy! — ^You needn't have waited, Beaulieu. 

[125] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Thought we might be of some service. 

ERNESTO 

No, thanks. Everything's arranged. It'll be all 
over in an hour. 

l^Pulls the bell-cord. 

BEAULIEU 

[^Noting Ernesto's calm manner. 
One good thing — you're cool about it. 

ERNESTO 

Why not ? If I finish him, the world's better off — 
and the other way round, I'm better off. 

BEAUL,IEU 

In that mood, you'll be easy for him. 

ERNESTO 

l^Shaking his head, and with a grim smile. 
No! 

BEAULIEU 

Oh, I've seen him, at the fencing club, match you 
as a snake watches a bird — and you never knew 
it! 

[126] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Good! Or I'd had to show him all I know. 

BEAULIEU 

\^Catching his meaning. 
Oh, I see ! Pretty idea — and so Spanish ! 

ERNESTO 

J[In a low tone to genaro who enters. 

Genaro — some gentlemen will call presently, to 
arrange for the use of your studio. 

GENARO 

Yes, sir — they've already been here. 

ERNESTO 

Oh ! — See the door from that corridor is locked. 

GENARO 

Yes, sir. , 

\_Goes out. 

BEAULIEU 

Now, I suppose, you'd like to be alone. 

[m] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

EENESTO 

[^Looking at his watch. 
No hurry — some time until the seconds call for me. 
[gen A no re-enters. 

ERNESTO 
[To GENARO. 

I'll be going out presently, and shan't come back 
here again — they will come for my trunks — 
while I'm out — see they get to the station in 
good season for the night train to Cadiz. 

GENARO 

Yes, sir. — The night train to Cadiz. 
[Goes out. 

PEPITO 

But — Ernesto — 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

PEPITO 

If — if something — should happen .f* 

ERNESTO 

[With his hands on pepito's shoulders. 
Don't you worry, boy. 

[128] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

l^Shaking his head dubiously. 
H'm — h'm — he'll send you to the devil — if he can. 

ERNESTO, lightly 

Well, at the worst, I won't need my trunks there 
— they might just as well go on — 

BEAUIilEU 

[Suddenly, as if roused from thought. 

Damn it ! — Why the deuce did you have to go 
there ! 

ERNESTO 

Because, as you heard, I'd arranged to meet 
Moreno. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes, but just at that moment ! Another minute, 
Alvarez had been gone from the place — and this 
wouldn't have happened! 

ERNESTO 

Yes, but this was meant to happen, and that one 
single minute Fate held free that it should hap- 

[129] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

pen ! Think of it, Beaulieu, in all the infinite 
space of time, there was only one minute — one 
tick of the watch — for that encounter between 
Alvarez and me, and chance gave it to me! 
Without that, I'd have had to bear, all the rest 
of mj life, the torturing thought, the bitter 
impotent rage, that he had hurt and humiliated 
me, until my senses reeled, while I stood helpless 
and unresisting, with lips locked and my hands 
bound ! Can't you see, in what happened there, 
the determined purpose of Chance or Fate or 
whatever it may be, to end his infamies and 
bring him to account? — Why, my dear Beau- 
lieu, if there be any power that orders human 
affairs for right and wrong, do you suppose a 
man like Alvarez is to go on his way of calcu- 
lated evil — ruthless, brazen and exultant — to 
the end! Do you doubt there is one appointed 
moment when he must answer for his offence ! — 
What sort of world would this be — would it 
be worth the making or worth the caring-for — 
if such a creature could defile fair names, could 
distort the very faith and candour of men and 
women to their shame and confusion and yet 
escape all reckoning with God or man? — No, 
Beaulieu, as you're my friend, don't you regret 
that one blessed moment that led me to Senor 
Alvarez. Whatever Fate may have in store for 
me to-morrow, to-day I know I stood in her 
good graces — that she means only well by me. 

[ 130 ] 



V 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

I hope you're right, but I'm never so sure about 
the good intentions of that Fate lady — I've 
seen her play some rather queer tricks upon 
mighty good chaps. 

[With a changed tone. 
And when — when is it to be? 

ERNESTO 

Four o'clock. 

BEAULIEU 

Out of town, of course. 

ERNESTO 

No — wouldn't be time for that — the seconds 
agreed on a room. 

PEPITO 

Not the Alcazar — where the quarrel — ? 

ERNESTO 

No, here. 

BEAULIEU 
[To ERNESTO, 

In this house.'* 

[ 131 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

l^Crosses to door at the left. 
At the end of this corridor — 

[To PEPITO. 

where you got my fencing traps. 
\^Opens the door. 

Large room, good Hght — and stairs leading 
from the court below — We'll be quite comfort- 
able there. It's been used for the same purpose 
before. — Beaulieu, you can do me a service, if 
you will. 

BEATJLIEII 

[Comes to him. 
Anything in the world, old chap. 

ERNESTO 

By this time, Don Julian must have heard of the 
affair at the Alcazar. 

BEAULIEU 

Oh, surely. 

ERNESTO 

Go and find him, if you can — 
[Looks at his watch. 
[132] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

At the Foreign Office or his house — assure him 
I didn't start the quarrel — and, above all — he 
likes you, you know — keep him in hand until 
this is over — don't let him out of your sight. — 
If nothing else, just talk to him. 

BEAULIEU 

If need be, I'll be hrilliant — anything to keep 
matters straight. — Now tell me again — and 
you can't tell me too often — you're sure of 
yourself.'' 

ERNESTO 

I can only be sure I'll do my best. 

BEAULIEU 

Hang it, no! — the best isn't good enough — it's 
the worst that's needed for that scamp. Finish 
him, my boy — finish him — or else come so near 
it he won't know the difference for a month or 
two. 

[^Holding out his hands. 
Now, good luck and God bless you ! 

ERNESTO 

[Rather sombrely. 
Good-bye. 

[ 133 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Ugly word — I never say it. Au'voir — au'voir! 
And you, Pepito — Au'voir ! 

l^Puts his fingers to his lips to indicate si- 
lence y and goes out. 

[genaro is heard, singing: he appears at 
the door as beaulieu goes out, and makes 
way for him. 

GENARO 

[Entering, to ernesto. 
Somebody to see you, sir. 

ERNESTO 

But I've no time, now. 

GENARO 

I said that, sir, but the lady insisted. 

PEPITO 

Trala! A lady.? 

GENARO 

I shouldn't wonder, sir — she has no veil on. 

[ 134 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

The lady's alone? 

GENARO 

Yes, sir — I should say alone — she has only her 
maid with her. 

ERNESTO 

I'll go below to see her. 
\^Starts to go. 

GENARO 

I beg pardon, sir — it's the music hour — there are 
many in the cafe — and the lady has been crying. 

[ernesto is obviously disturbed. 

PEPITO 

No veil and crying — sounds promising. — Well, I'll 
be off. 

[To GENARO. 

What are you waiting for.? 

GENARO 

Orders to show the lady in. 

[135] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

Why, don't you know your business better than 
that? You must always show a lady in, es- 
pecially when she's crying — and, once she's in — 
no one else! 

GENARO 
\^To ERNESTO. 

Your orders, sir? 

ERNESTO 

Didn't you ask the lady's name? 

GENARO 

[^With a knowing grin. 

Not a custom of the house, sir — but (sugges- 
tively) perhaps, the lady of the letter. 

ERNESTO 

What letter? 

GENARO 

[Crossing to the table, 
I put it there. 

[Takes the letter. 
Yes, here it is. 

[136] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

\^Gives ERNESTO the letter. 

Came just after you'd gone — she says she must 
see you. 

ERNESTO 

[^Glances nervously at letter and then at 

PEPITO. 

Yes, yes, of course — show the lady in. 
[genaro goes out. 

PEPITO 

Trala, aren't you clever ! You're doing just right, 
Ernesto. 

ERNESTO 

You think — 

PEPITO 

The very thing! — making a diversion, as diplo- 
mats say. Beautiful ! The quarrel with Al- 
varez over this new one. Good-bye and good 
luck ! And whatever happens, Ernesto, I won't 
be far off. 

[Goes out quickly. 

ERNESTO 

[^Opening the letter. 
Teodora ! 

[ 137 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

l^Reads. 

I implore you do not quarrel with Julian ! No 
matter what he may say or do — be patient with 
him ! I entreat you — by our love for him — 
yours and mine — be patient with him. Remem- 
ber, dear friend, my soul adores him — and he is 
so unhappy — and /. 

TEODORA 

[Appearing at the door. 
I am not too late? 

ERNESTO 

Teodora ! — You shouldn't have done this, Teo ! 

TEODORA 

Never mind about me — now, it is you and Julian 
— Where is he? I must speak with him — and 
you. 

ERNESTO 

But to come here — and alone! 

TEODORA 

There was no other way — and I had to see you. 

[138] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

But surely, Mercedes would have — 

TEODOEA 

No, she refused — Severo forbids her to be seen with 
me in public, anywhere. 

ERNESTO, fiercely 
Severo ! 

TEODORA 

That's what they've brought it to, Ernesto. 

[^Pointing to the letter in Ernesto's 
hand. 

I waited for an answer — 

ERNESTO 

[Indicating the letter. 
I just now have it. 

TEODORA 

[Continues feverishly. 

I wanted your word — to assure me — but I could 
endure it no longer. 

ERNESTO 

But, Teodora, to come here ! If you were seen — • 

[ 189 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA, defiantly 

What of it? What could they say that they have 
not ah^eady said? I no longer care — nothing 
matters — only that you shall not fight. 

ERNESTO, protesting 
But, Teo, when you hear what happened! 

TEODORA 

[^Insisting commandingly . 

No, no, no — no matter — what happened — you 
shall not fight on my account! 

ERNESTO 

If you knew — the insult ! 

TEODORA 

[Pointing to the letter still in Ernesto's 
hand. 

But I warned you — implored you — 
[With pathos. 
to bear with him. 

ERNESTO, bewildered 
Julian — P 

[ 140 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

When Mercedes told me he'd come here — with 
Severo — who hates us — you and me — I knew 
what it meant. But you shall not fight for me. 
Oh, the shame of it! — you and Julian! — to seek 
each other's Hfe — for me! 

ERNESTO 

But, Teo, we have no quarrel, JuUan and I. 

TEODORA 

You promise me — your word of honour? 

ERNESTO 

Of course. 

TEODORA 

And you forgive — the insult.? 

ERNESTO 

There's been none. 

TEODORA 

But you said just now — 

ERNESTO 

Alvarez — yes. 

[141] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Alvarez ! Despite Beaulieu's warning, you sought 
a quarrel with him? 

ERNESTO 

No — he forced the quarrel on me — wildly — in a 
frenzy — like a man drunk with hate. He knew 
I was leaving to-day — the thought that I might 
escape him, and that, once I had gone, there'd 
be no further excuse for his lies — maddened 
him! 

TEODORA 

Still, I forbid it — you shall not fight — for me! 

ERNESTO 

For a woman, then — any woman — held up to scorn 
— her name tossed from glass to glass — in a 
group of jeering ribalds — until every nook and 
corner echoed the insult — clear and insistent 
above the turmoil of a tippler's brawl. 

TEODORA, overwhelmed 
Great God! Ernesto, was it like that? 

ERNESTO 

[With clenched fists and in tones of mingled 
horror and vengeance. 
Oh, Teodora, I only want the picture before me, 
when I face him ! 

[ 142 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

[^Recovering herself. 

But the world will know it is for me — they'll ask 
why you defend my good name, and not Julian ! 
— And you should have thought of that, 
Ernesto, you should have avoided the quarrel — 

ERNESTO, interrupting 
I tried. 

TEODORA, continuing 

At any cost of pride — b}'^ any trick — 

ERNESTO 

How I sought to avoid it — Beaulieu will tell you — 
till they threw it into my face — the insult. 

TEODORA 

But it was meant for Julian — and me. You have 
no right — to take his quarrel on yourself — 

[As if to clinch the matter. 

It would be — impertinence ! 

ERNESTO, horrified 
Teodora ! 

[143] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

[^Proudly and almost coldly. 

It is Julian's privilege — and his alone. It is for 
mj husband — and none but him — to guard my 
good name. 

ERNESTO 

But, Teodora, a life must be staked against this 
man's — when swords cross, the issue is always 
uncertain. Alvarez' skill is proved and notori- 
ous — you know that.^ 

TEODORA, weakly 

Yes. 

TEODORA 

Well, then, if it must be Julian or me — 

TEODORA, falteringly 
Julian, or — you? 

ERNESTO 

Between his life and mine you will not hesitate .f* 

[They look at each other intently, and in 
silence. 

[144] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

\^As if she has forced herself to a decision. 
Julian himself shall decide. 

ERNESTO 

But, Teo, think a moment — it was / who struck 
Alvarez — full in the face — before his friends 
and a hundred others. — He is entitled to a 
chance at mj life. If I refuse to meet him he 
will kill me — and rightly so ! 

TEODORA 

'[In a panic of apprehension. 

No, no, he shall not. No ! — Let Julian decide, 
please — send for him — or, come — let us go to 
him. 

[Starts toward the door, stops suddenly, 
listens. 

Why — I thought I heard Julian's voice. 

[A door is heard to close. 

ERNESTO 

No one for me. 

TEODORA 

Shall we not go.^^ 

[145] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

{^Glancing at the clock. 
There is no time now. 

TEODORA 

\_Not understanding. 

Why? No time? You mean — you fight Alvarez 
to-day ? 

ERNESTO 

At four o'clock. 

TEODORA 

\^As if beside herself. 
No ! I forbid you — for the last time — I for — 
[^Voices are heard. 
Who is that. There is someone for you, surely. 

ERNESTO 

It is almost time for them. 

[^Goes to the door and looks out. 

TEODORA 

[In tones of fright. 
Your seconds? — Captain Beaulieu and — 

[ 146 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[Interrupting, and shaking his head. 
The Marquis Acedo and Mario Sanches. 

TEODORA 

They! Alvarez' friends ! 

ERNESTO 

The first to hand — 

TEODORA 

[Panic- stricken. 
If they saw me here! 

ERNESTO 

[As if to calm her. 
No, no — it may not be they. 

[The voices are heard again: 
And — even if they saw you — 

TEODORA, brohenly 

Ernesto, my courage is gone — quite gone — I trem- 
ble like a leaf! 

[147] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[There is a noise of knocking; then the 
voices again. 

ERNESTO, listening 

That can't be they ! 

[Goes to the door of the corridor. 
It is here ! 

TEODORA 

JuHan's voice — it is! — And Severo's ! 

[The noise is repeat ed, with the sound of 
a knob being turned. 

[teodora and ernes to stand silent, be- 
wildered. 

[A voice is heard beyond the closed door, 
crying: ''Open — unbolt the door!* 

PEPITO 

[From outside. 
Open, Ernesto ! Ernesto ! 

teodora 
Pepito ! It's Pepito ! 

[Looks about, as if to rush off. 
[148] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[^Stopping her, and opening the door lead- 
ing to the corridor. 

No, no, no — remain where jou are ! It's only 
Pepito. — Stay, Teo ! 

[Disappears into the corridor. Ashe opens 
the door at the other end of the corridor, 
voices are heard in a confused babble. 
[teo DORA, frightened, distracted, rushes 
toward the door at the right. As she opens 
it, there is heard the music from the cafe, 
the buzz of voices, and laughter; and then 
beaulieu's voice in controversy with 

GENARO. 

BEAULIEU 

[Spealiing outside. 
Never mind, I know the way — 

GENARO, protestingly 
But there's someone with him — 

BEAULIEU 

[Coming nearer. 
Nonsense, I only just left him — 

[ 149 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

{^Beside herself. 

Captain Beaulieu ! 

[Pauses for an instant^ as if at hay. Then, 
as the voices in the corridor draw nearer, 
and the buzz from the cafe increases, in a 
flash of panic she rushes into the bedroom. 

[ernest'o re-enters from the corridor, 
followed by pepito. 

PEPITO 

You're alone? 

ERNESTO 

[Glancing about. 
Yes, yes. 

[To himself. 
Thank God! 

BEAULIEU 

[Entering, excitedly. 

Julian came here, with your seconds ! 

[In a tone of horror. 

What's the matter with you fellows? — ^What's 
happened? 

[ 150 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO, fiercely 
This boy betrayed me-told them everything! 

BEAULIEU 

But didn't mean to— they made him. 

PEPITO 

Juhan flew to Alvarez' house-dragged him here 
with your seconds-forced him to fight-and 
they fought like fiends ! 

BEAULIEU 

And Julian— hurt? 

PEPITO 

Mortally, I believe. 

[Steps are heard in the corridor. 
They're bringing him here. 

JUIilAN 

[Entering from the corridor, and warding 
off SEVEUO, who moves as if to support 
him. 
No, no-let me be.-Close that door.-That rat 
shan't see how he scratched me ! 

[sEVEBO goes into the corridor. 
[ 151 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

l^With an appealing gesture. 

Julian, that was my work ! — You had no right to 
take it from me. 

JULIAN 

Never mind, mj boy. — It is still for you to do — 
and better than I — 

[^Winces and supports himself against the 
cabinet near the door. 

SEVERo, re-entering 
Come, Julian, you must lie down — 

ERNESTO 

Yes, in here. 

[Goes to the bedroom door, opens it, and 
sees to his astonishment that teodora is 
there. He closes the door abruptly, and 
stands with his back to it, obviously panic- 
stricken, and as if to bar entrance. 

JULIAN 

[Takes a step toward the door; stops; and 
gasps, as if in great pain. 

One minute, please — I can't — Ernesto — 

[ 152] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[ernesto returns as if to help him. They 
move toward the bedroom, until they reach 
a large chair near the door. 

JULIAN 

[^Clutching the chair. 
Ernesto — Here — for a moment. 

[Faintly. 
Yes — that's better — 

[Pauses. 
Now — Ernesto — 

[Growing weaker. 

Send — for — for — Teo. 

ERNESTO, aghast 
Teo! 

[As if to re-assure him. 

Julian, you're not — 



JUEIAN 

[With his hand to his heart, gaspingly. 
I'm afraid — yes — you go — bring her — to me- 
Don't — tell — her — I'm — 

[To SEVERO. 

Let me lie down. 

[ 153 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Takes a step toward the bedroom, hut 
utters a piercing cry of pain, and collapses 
into the chair. 

TEODORA 

[Rushing from the room, impelled hy j\j- 
lian's cry. 

Julian ! 

[ JULIAN pulls himself together at the 
sound of her voice, and stares at her as if 
dazed. 

TEODORA 

[On her knees before him. 
Julian, don't you see me ? — Teo, your wife ! 

JULIAN 

[Staring, as if into space, and bewildered. 
My wife — here — already — no ! 

SEVERO 

Yes, brother, your wife ! 

[Pointing to ernesto. 

And your friend! 

[ 154] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Looking about, as if to make sure where 
he is. 

Here! 

[Pause. 

Why — are you — here? 

TEODORA 

To save you from this — I meant — 
ERNESTO, eagerly 
Yes ! — she feared we would fight — you and I ! — 

SEVERO 

[Interrupting savagely. 

Then why hide? — 

[Pointing to the bedroom, 
hide — hke guilty things? 

TEODORA 

[In agonized protest. 
No, no, no, Julian! 

[ 155 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



JULIAN 



[Pushing her aside. 
You were right, Severo — a rendezvous ! 

ERNESTO 

[Frantically, as he offers teodora's 
letter. 

Here, Julian, you will see the truth! 

SEVERO 

[To ERNESTO and teodora. 

Oh, he sees — yes, now he sees ! 

JULIAN 

[Half rises from the chair, with hands to 
eyes, as if rubbing away a mist. 

No, no — Phantoms ! Only phantoms ! 

[Collapses into the chair. 

SEVERO, wildly 

No, not phantoms ! Traitors — flesh-and-blood 
traitors ! 

[Advancing rapidly to ernesto. 

For this day's work I'll — 

[Moves as if to strike ernesto. 

[ 156 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNrSTO 

[^Seizing severo s uplifted hand, and 
holding it down. 

Yes, yes — of course — later, if you like — you may 
kill me, and with my last breath I'll bless you 
for it — but, first, in God's name — let me meet 
Alvarez ! 

\^Goes quickly into the corridor , followed 

by BEAULIEU. 



CURTAIN 



[157] 



ACT III 

The Scene 25 again the drawing-room in don 
Julian's house, a few hours after the event of the 
previous act. Only the torchere, hy the piano, and 
the hall-lantern are lighted. The curtains in the 
archway leading to the balcony are drawn to- 
gether. 

[As the curtain rises, p e p i t o enters, slowly, 
from JULIA n's room. 

servant 

[Entering silently, announces in almost a whis- 
per. 

Captain Beaulieu. 

p E p I T o, nodding 

Yes. 

[servant opens the door leading to the hall. 
[beaulieu enters. 

BEAULIEU 

How's the good man ? 

p E p I T o, dubiously 
Hard to tell. 

[158] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Not the worst! 

P E P I T O 

Julian says it's a mere scratch. 

BEAULIEU 

What does the surgeon say — Any chance? 

p E p I T o 

Yes, if he can be kept quiet. Will come through all 
right, the surgeon says. But he won't even lie on 
the couch; starts up every few minutes, as if from 
a nightmare; stalks about the room, pretending 
he isn't really hurt. And keeps asking for Teo! 

BEAULIEU, surprised 

Why, isn't Donna Teodora with him ? 

p E p I T o, meaningly 

What! after — her visit — to Ernesto? 

BEAULIEU, warningly 

By Jove, if you people aren't careful, you'll do for 
Julian what Alvarez didn't. 

p E p I T o 

Well, whatever happens, my father will square the 
score with him. 

[159] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

l^Makes a gesture. 
He'll run him through! 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty idea! — But the account's already squared — 
and wiped off the slate! 

p E p I T o, eagerly 
Ernesto ? 

BEAULIEU 

Beautiful piece of work ! — May cost me my conge, 
but I wouldn't have missed it for an Embassy. 

p E p I T o 
But not the— finish? 

BEAULIEU 

If Alvarez gets over it, it's because the devil doesn't 
want his company. At any rate, he'll never 
fight again. That wonderful arm of his is out of 
business. 

[mer CEDES enters from the door at the 
right. 

[ 160 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

P E P I T O 

[Greeting her joyously. 

Mother, dear, isn't it splendid! — Alvarez can't 
harm Papa! He's done for! 

MERCEDES 

[Looking at beaulieu for explanation. 
Don Ernesto ? 

BEAULIEU 

\_Nods ^yes\ 
They fought at four — precisely as they'd arranged. 

p E p I T o 

[At the balcony windows, drawing hack the 
curtains, so as to disclose Alvarez' house, 
showing dark in the brightly lit avenue. 

See, mother, not a light over there, at Alvarez' — 
dark as a house of mourning. 

[Gleefully. 
I'Ujgo tell father. 

MERCEDES 

[Stopping him as he reaches the door. 
And say I wish to see him — now. 
[p E p I T o goes out. 

[161] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 
[To MERCEDES. 

And the Donna Teodora? 

MERCEDES 

We're not to speak her name — my husband fo7'- 
hids — to strangers. 

BEAULIEIT 

But I count myself an old friend — and I bring a 
message. 

MERCEDES, eagerly 

Then he's gone ? 

BEAULIEU 

No. — And he won't go — until he's seen Donna Teo- 
dora and Julian. 

MERCEDES 

Has the man lost his wits ? 

BEAULIEU 

The very question I asked him. 

MERCEDES 

If he shows himself here — I don't know what might 
happen. 

[162] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

I do! So I'm going to keep close to him, until he's 
safely off on his journey. — The poor fellow is all 
alone. — His life since he's been in Madrid was 
lived in this house. There's no one out there 
he can turn to. And he's beside himself — more 
than half mad — desperate enough for anything. 
— Don't drive him one step further — receive him 
when he calls — 

MERCEDES 

But if it were known — that he'd come here ^ 

BEAULIEU 

Excellent diplomacy! — the best possible way to end 
this — this — • 

[Hesitates. 
tragedy of gossip! And, after all, why shouldn't 
it be known — why shouldn't he come here ? 

MERCEDES, wondevingly 



Why.? 




BEAULIEU 




Yes. 




MERCEDES 




And you don't believe — he and Teodora— 


_? 


[ 163 ] 





THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULiEU, interruptiiig 

No more than you and I — 

[mercedes indicates her amazement at 
the awkward comparison. 

BEAULIEU 

{^QuicJcly correcting himself. 

I beg your pardon, dear lady, but I want to put it 
convincingly. 

[sEVERo is heard talldng to pepito. 

Now, if you can persuade — Don Severo — 

[^Points to the door to indicate severo; 
then turns as if to go out. 

MERCEDES 

[Stopping him. 
Wait — judge for yourself. 

SEVERO 

[At the door. 
What is it.^ 

MERCEDES 

Severo — Teodora begs to see Julian — 

[164] 



THE WOULD AND HIS WIFE 

S E V E R O 

[Advancing to Mercedes and speaking 
sharply. 

You've disobeyed my orders! 

MERCEDES 

;N^o_I've not spoken with her— I listened to her 
pleadings. 

s E V E R o 

[Turning as if to go. 

Til not listen — I want none of them — 

MERCEDES 

She asks only to say good-bye to Julian;— then she 
will go. 

S E V E R O 

She'll go without that— and now—1 told you what 
to do — 

MERCEDES ' ' 

I cannot send that poor, distracted creature from 
this house at such a moment.— Where could she 
go, that she wouldn't be pointed out— after the 
scandal of to-day i^— Where could she find wel- 
come, or even shelter ? 

[165] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

s E V E R o, deliberately 
At her lover's — where we surprised her — 

BEAULiEU, angrily 

Don Severo ! — 

[^Apologetically . 

X beg your pardon for intervening — in this purely 
family matter— but circumstances have made me 
a part of it, as it were — and I've always been 
proud of Don Julian's friendship — and his wife's 
— Now, I know nothing of Donna Teodora's — 

[Hesitating. 

errand — to-day; but if you would take the trouble 
to learn the truth, you'd regret what you just 
said — I'd stake my life on it! rj 

MERCEDES, timidly 
We may be doing her wrong — 

SEVERO 

[As if amazed. 
What! 

MERCEDES 

It is possible — just possible — 

[ 166 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

s E V E R o, interrupting 
Now you defend her! That's the woman of you! 

MERCEDES 

No, I don't defend her — I beheve as you do — her sin 
is too mean — her guilt too clear — but it's not for 
me to punish her. 

[sEVERo turns away impatiently. 
That is God's business. 

SEVERO, fiercely 
It was Julian's — now it is mine. 

BEAULIEU 

[ With a shrug. 
Of course, if you think you can do it better! 

SEVERO 

No one shall intercede here! — My brother casts this 
woman from his heart — 

MERCEDES 

That's as it should be! And you, his kinsman, cast 
her from the house she has dishonoured — thafs 
as it should be. But when that is done, she is no 

[167] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

longer the sinning wife, but only a woman, help- 
less, sorrowing and alone — And I must give her 
what I can of comfort and pity. 

BEAULIEU 

[To himself. 
Thafs the woman of it, too ! 

p E p I T o 

[With outstretched hands^ appealingly. 

Yes, father, if you could but see Teodora, you would 
pity— 

SEVERO, bitterly 
Pity! Pity! I have none — only for him — 

[With a sudden change, to a tone quivering 
with tears. 

Oh, Pepito, my brother — my poor, dear brother, 

[^Buries his head on pepito's shoulder. 

MERCEDES, tenderly 
Severo — does not Teo — also love Julian ? 

s E V E R o 
l^Turns and faces her; speaks savagely. 
No! No! 

[168] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Goes to the door at left; pauses, pointing to 
Julian's room. 

Let her not cross that threshold ! 

[Goes out. 

BEAULIEU 

[^Looking after severo. 
Donna Mercedes, jour husband is — 

MERCEDES 

[Proudly, and in a chilling tone. 
Yes, Captain Beauheu ? 

BEAULIEU 

l^With a shrug. 
A Spaniard, I suppose. 

[servant enters. 

SERVANT, announcing 
Don Ernesto. 

MERCEDES 

We receive no one. 

[servant hesitates, as if waiting for 
further orders. 

[169] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

BEAULIEU 
[To MERCEDES. 

I beg of you — 

[MERCEDES, with a gesture indicating 

S E V E R O. 

You heard — 

[To SERVANT. 

Do not admit him. 

[servant starts to go out. 

BEAULIEU 

That won't stop him. — He's in the mood when 
nothing can. 



p E p I T o 



I'll go talk to him — 

[MERCEDES stojps him with a gesture. 

SERVANT 

Don Ernesto insists, Madame. 

MERCEDES 

He shall not enter this house! 

[ 170 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SERVANT 

He has already done so, Madame, 
p E p I T o, advancing 
Then you should have — 

SERVANT, hoiving 
I thought it unwise, Sir. 

p E P I T o 
[With a threatening movement. 
Then I shall — 

SERVANT 

Beg pardon, Sir, I still think it unwise, Sir. 

MERCEDES 

[With growing anger. 
Tell him to leave and if he will not — 

[ernesto appears at the door and 
brushes by servant. 

p E P I T o 
[Finishing the sentence. 
Show him in. 

[ 1^1 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SERVANT, announcing / 

Don Ernesto. 

BEAULIEU 

[Tapping p e p i t o on the shoulder ap- 
provingly. 

Pretty idea ! 

[e R N E s T o comes into the room; he has his 
hat in his hand, and over his arm carries a 
long travelling -cape. 

MERCEDES 
[To ERNESTO. 

The servants were ordered — 

ERNESTO, excitedly 

Don't blame them— they were as rude as — anyone 
could wish. — Now that I'm in — you'll please 
have them announce me to Teodora. 

MERCEDES 

That is impossible, Ernesto! 

ERNESTO 

Why ? 

[172] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

If, just now, you'd heard Severo — 

p E p I T o, nodding 

Yes. 

ERNESTO 

Severo is nothing to me — I don't know there is 
such a man — And well for him, perhaps! — In 
my world — to-night — there are only three beings — 
Julian, Teodora and I — And nothing shall come 
between them and me — not Fate itself! 

PEPiTO, appeasingly 

But, see, Ernesto — the state you're in — you'd con- 
sider nothing — not your life nor an3^one else's. 

ERNESTO 

Because, Pepito — I've lost everything that makes 
life ivorth considering — And for no fault of my 
own — Honour, friendship, love — all taken from 
me — and for nothing, 'really nothing,' as he 

says — 

MERCEDES 

Careful, Ernesto — if Severo should hear! 

ERNESTO 

Oh, he will hear — enough! — Beaulieu knows! The 

[173] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

door barred to me won't shut out those thousand 
tongues — 

MERCEDES 

They know — already ? 

BEAULIEU 

They think they know — everything — everywhere. 

ERNESTO 

And everywhere it's different! And nowhere the 
truth ! Teodora jealous of another woman, they 
say — made Julian challenge me. They had that 
story from the inn-keeper! — Julian surprised his 
wife in my room — some declare — and I killed him 
before her eyes. — Others, again, raise me from 
the rank of mere assassin and say we fought like 
loyal gentlemen — Julian and I! — A few have the 
tale — accurately- — Oh, yes ! from Alvarez' sec- 
onds — I arrived on the scene late — not through 
accident or fear — but because I preferred to re- 
main in Teodora's arms — 

MERCEDES 

[ Turning toward beaulieu as if for 
corroboration. 

Oh, no! 

[174] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[eeaulieu nods ''yes.^ 

ERNESTO 

Yes, to such figures they can transform an innocent 
woman and two men who worship her, with love, 
with reverence, once they begin spattering their 
mud of slander. — And from such tales I am to 
flee, like a thief in the night, not daring even to 
look behind — 

\l7i a tone of decisive command. 

Bring Teodora here — or take me to her! 

p E p I T o 
[Starting for the door. 
Yes, mother. 

MERCEDES 

\^S topping PEPiTo. 
Wait. — Ernesto, will that content you ? 

ERNESTO 

Yes— 

[^Then, as if suspecting what is in her mind. 
but— I— 

MERCEDES 

You will go, in peace .^^ 

[,175] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

And not see — Julian? 

MERCEDES 

No — not Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Why— I— 

BEAULiEU, persuasively 
If Donna Teodora so wishes ? 

ERNESTO, decisively 
Yes — if Teodora so wishes. 

[Appealing, to pepito. 
Now, then, Pepito. 

[P E P I T O looks to MERCEDES for COU- 

sent. 

MERCEDES, iiodding 

Say, only, I wish to see her. 
[pepito goes out. 

[To ERNESTO. 

You will let me speak with her first ? 





ERNESTO 


Yes. 






MERCEDES 


Alone ? 





[176 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

MERCEDES 

And you will do as she decides is best ? 

ERNESTO, nervously 
Yes — ^yes — 

MERCEDES 

Your promise — before Captain Beaulieu — 

ERNESTO, wildly 

Yes, yes, yes! — anything — anything — just so I see 
her! 

MERCEDES 

[Pointing to the balcony. 
Wait out there until I call you. 

[e R N E s T o goes out to the balcony with 

BEAULIEU. 

p E p I T o, re-entering 
She is here. 

MERCEDES 

[With a nod toward e r n e s t o. 
You didn't tell her— ? 

[ 177 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

P E P I T O 

No — only that you wished to see her. 
[beaulieu re-enters. 

BEAULIEU 

[Taking p e p i t o's arm. 
Come, Pepito, we'll reason with him. 
[Goes out with pepito. 

T E O D O R A 

[Entering quickly. 
Julian — he is worse ? 

MERCEDES 

No — a little better — possibly. 

T E O D O R A 

You're telling me the truth .^ 
[mercedes nods. 
Then I may go to him? 

[MERCEDES does uot answer. 
Mercedes — ^you asked Severo? — 

[ 178 ] 



^^ 




" The truth! — Why did you go there to-day? 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Nodding ^yes.^ 
Yes, but he — refuses. 

TEODOEA 

[Withiire. 
He dare not refuse — he must not — 

MERCEDES 

Teodora, Julian's life hangs by a thread. — He 
believes that you and Ernesto — 

TEODORA, interrupting i 

No, no, — it is Severo who believes — and who stands 
between Julian and me — so the truth may not 
reach him. 

MERCEDES, Sceptically 
The truth! — Why did you go there to-day.? 

TEODORA 

You told me Julian had gone — that they might 
fight — and an awful dread — lest harm come to 
him — 

MERCEDES, Cynically 

Julian ? 

[ 179 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

T E O D O R A 

Of course, Julian. 

MERCEDES, skarply 
And the other — there was no thought of himf 

T E O D O R A 

[^As if trying to fathom her own thoughts. 
Why — I don't know — 

MERCEDES, angrily 
Oh, yes, you do — you know ! 

T E O D O R A 

\As if suddenly awakened to the truth. 

Yes! You are right — I feared for him, too — be- 
cause — 

MERCEDES, incredulously 
Oh, yes — 

T E O D O R A 

No! — Only because the thought that those two 
men — my husband and — the other — would fight 
over me — appalled me — sickened me — soul and 
body — I am not of those women for whom men 
may slay each other — like raging beasts — why, 

[ 180 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

even with Alvarez — that monster! — I forbade 
Ernesto to fight — but now — now — he — shall — 
kill— him! 

MERCEDES 

It is already done, Teodora. 

TEGDORA 

\^With a smile. 
You are certain? 

[meecedes nods 'yes.' 
[Exultantly. 
I knew he would! I knew he would! 

MERCEDES 

You say that as if — as if — 

TEODORA 

What! You still mistrust me? 

MERCEDES 

But see how proud — 

TEODORA 

Of his courage, yes — his skill — his life, staked for 
Julian ! — 

[ 181 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

And you! He fought for you. 

T E O D O R A 

No, not for me — for a woman — struck in the face^ 
in his presence, by words more cowardly than 
the clenched fist. What man would not do the 
same ? — 

[With a glow of admiration. 

What man like Ernesto ? 

l^Turns from mercedes. 

MERCEDES 

\F ollowmg her. 
See how you betray yourself — 

T E O D O R A 

Betray ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes! Every tone you utter — the flush of your 
cheek — your lips tremble — your eyes soften with 
tears if you but speak his name. — Teodora, you 
love him! 

TEODORA 

No, no, no, a thousand times no! — 

[182] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Looking at her closely. 
Guard yourself, well, I warn you — your steps falter. 

T E o D o R A 

And you wait to see me fall ! 

[MERCEDES makes a sign of protest. 

You urge and push me to the very trap you pre- 
tend to warn me of; else why do you din into my 
ears this lie — this lie — 'You love him' — 'you 
love him.' — Little by little, oh, so cunningly, so 
fiendishly, you try to convince me that love for 
Julian is going from my heart, and that love for 
another — try as I will to fight it — is taking its 
place. — It is from you I must guard myself — and 
not from him for whom I have never known one 
single, passing thought but honest friendship. 

MERCEDES 

Is that the truth.? 

T E O D O R A 

I have never lied! It is the truth now. But God 
knows what you all may do with your ceaseless sus- 
picion — warning us of danger we never dreamed 
of — weaving about us a mist of doubt and self- 

[ 183 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

distrust through which we no longer see our own 
souls clearly. 

[Fiercely. 

Keep on with this lie, Mercedes, and in the end 
you may distort the lie into truth! 

MERCEDES 

[Triumphantly, turning from her. 
You see, you're not certain of yourself! 

T E O D O R A 

Indeed I am — 

MERCEDES 

\_Coming hack to her. 
Of him, too ? 

T E O D O R A 

Yes. 

MERCEDES 

You wouldn't say so, if you'd seen him just now — 
and heard him. 

T E o D o R A 
Where ? 

[ 184 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

MERCEDES 

jjere. Every word and look declared the truth. — 

He loves you! 

T E O D O R A 

[Frotesting wildly. 
No, no, no! 

MERCEDES 

If you'd heard him — you wouldn't doubt — 

T E O D O R A 

Then well for him I didn't!— He's gone? 

MERCEDES 

He's waiting for you — out there. 

T E O D O R A 

[Takes a step toward the balcony, then turns. 

No! Tell him to leave here. He's done harm 
enough in this house. Tell him to be off~I 
want never to see him again. 

MERCEDES, deliberately 

If you don't love him, you'll tell him that with your 
own lips. 

[185] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

T E O D O R A 

That I will — and you shall see how I tell hini. 

[MERCEDES goes to the balcony-door and 
beckons ernesto to enter. 

MERCEDES 
[To ERNESTO. 

You forced your way into this house against my 
orders — you insisted on seeing Donna Teodora 
against my advice — I trust her to make you re- 
gret it. 

[There is an awkward pause, ernesto 
obviously waiting for Mercedes to leave . 

ERNESTO 

Better, then, between Teodora and me. 

MERCEDES 

{^Making no sign of going. 
For what Teodora has to say to you — 

ERNESTO, interrupting 

But for what I have to say to Teodora — 

[With a bow as if dismissing Mercedes^ 
If you please — 

[ 186 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFP: 

MERCEDES 

[Appealing to t e o d o r a. 
Teodora ? 

ERNESTO 

Alone, Teodora — you and I. 

TEODORA 

[After a slight hesitation. 
Let it be as he wishes. 

MERCEDES, accusingly 
You are as wax in his hands. 

TEODORA 

You shall see! 

[MERCEDES goes out. 

TEODORA 

Don Ernesto, I wish you to leave this house, at 
once ! 

ERNESTO 

[As if bewildered. 

So that was her plan! — You to show me the door! 
But not your own free will, Teodora ? 

[187] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

T E O D O R A 

Absolutely — I wish you to go — we must never see 
each other — again. 

ERNESTO 

Yes, yes, of course — that must be, I know — 
[Appealingly. 
but, Teodora, not this way — not this way ! 

T E o D o R A 
[In a softer tone. 
Surely, you must understand. . . . 

ERNESTO 

That my very presence is hateful to you, yes — and 
that I must seem the evil genius of your house — 
but don't drive me out — till I've seen Julian — 
spoken with him. 

TEODORA, excitedly 
Julian ! No — that cannot be. 

ERNESTO 

Por just one word of forgiveness — a hand-clasp of 
farewell. 

[188] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

T E O D O R A 

No, no, no — you may not go to Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Teodora — 

[Pointing to j u l i a n's door. 

To leave him, forever — this way — I'm not a 
coward — and I've learned to suffer, but I can't 
face that — I can't! 

[Starts toward Julia n's door. 

TEODORA 

[Stopping him. 
I forbid you! 

ERNESTO 

You forbid! They knew, they knew I'd obey — 
made me promise. — Then, you, Teodora — you 
will go — and bring me word — only one word, of 
Julian's faith. 

TEODORA 

[Stands with lowered head as if ashamed to 
answer. 

No — no — I — 

[189] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

You refuse ■ — Teodora, even though you hate me 
— have [ ity— pity! 

TEODORA 

Yes, and yoi, too, for me. If you may not cross 
that thresiioM, no more may I — 

j; :nesto, amazed 
Teo! 

TEODORA 

They bar me f < ni him, as though my touch were 
poison. 

ERNESTO 

Who does this — who — Severo ? 

TEODORA 

Yes, Severo. 

ERNESTO, tensely 

We shall see — we shall see! 

[Takes her hand. 
Come. 

TEODORA 

[Drawing her hand away quickly. 
What would you do ? — 

[ 190 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFK 

ERNESTO 

To Julian — you and I— 

T E o D o R A, feverishly 

No, no, no— it would kill him— they say. 



ERNESTO, insisting 

No-but their lies, that torture and poison him, 
may! We'll give him new strength and courage, 
with the truth. 

T E O D O R A 

[Drawing away from him, shaking her head 
sadly. 
He will not believe— he would not listen. 

ERNESTO 

[With increasing fevour. 

He must believe! Though no word be spoken- 
he'll see the truth. Come, Teodora, everythmg 
else, I yield-ni obey-but let me not go from 
here till — 

[On half hended knee. 

I implore you— I entreat you— 

[ 191 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[At full height, and with changed tone. 

I command you — 

[As ERNESTO utters this impassioned 
plea to TEODORA, SEVERO appears 
at the door which leads ^o j u l i a n's room. 

SEVERO 

You wretched — 

[Advances threateningly to ernesto. 
Who dared let you enter? 

ERNESTO 

No one — I forced my way in. Don Severo, I wish — 

SEVERO, interrupting 

To complete your perfidy ! — You see what has 
come from — 

ERNESTO 

*From nothing — really nothing!' That I will 
prove to Julian, if I must fight at every step to 
reach him. For see him, I shall. 

[ernesto makes two or three steps to- 
wards JULIA n's door; severo posts 
himself before the door as if to bar the way. 

[ 192 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

S E V E R O 

Be off! I counsel you— go! 

ERNESTO, decisively 
Not till I've seen Julian— spofcen with him— 

S E V E R O 

Why^ With what purpose? To finish the work 
Alvarez began for you ? The grim spectre stalks 
too slowly, eh? 

[ERNESTO makes a gesture of fwtest. 

Your every heart-throb bids him Hurry! hurry! 
hurry!— So eager are you two for each other's 
arms. 

ERNESTO 

[After a pause. 
I'll not answer you in kind— here— now. Your 
crrief— your great love for JuHan, excuses much. 
—Deal with me as you will— but this unhappy 
woman you must show, at least, pity. 

S E V E R O 

[Going to the hell at left. 
Her and you, I show only— 

[193] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[With a gesture of dismissal. 
The door' Go— or I'll— 
[Rings. 

ERNESTO 

When I've seen Julian. 

SERVANT 

[Entering, to s e v e r o. 

Orders, sir? 

T E o D o R A, quietly 
No — a mistake — Don Severo has no orders to give — 
[servant goes out. 
Here. 

[To severo. 

So long as Julian lives, I am mistress of this 
house. 

[To ERNESTO. 

Remain. 

SEVERO 

You set your authority against mine — in this house 
you've dragged down to disgrace! — You forget 
you remain under this roof — by my sujfferance — 
and Mercedes' plea for you. — You are mistress 

[194] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

here, indeed!— Well, not only does he go, but he 
takes you with him, you — 

[Utters a word that only t e o d o R a hears. 

T E O D O R A 

[Recoiling, as from a blow, and in tones of 
mingled horror and anguish. 

Oh, Julian! — 

[Buries her face in her hands. 

S E V E R O 

Now, will you go? 

ERNESTO 

When, on bended knee, you ask her pardon. 

[Seizes s e v e r o as if to bring him to his 
knees. 
That word should be your last.— On your knees 

T E O D O R A 

[Coming between them and interceding. 
No, no, no, no— Julian will hear— please— 

[ERNESTO throws SEVERO to ouc side, 
as he releases him. 

[ 195 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[t E o D o R A leads e r n e s t o away from 
s E V E R o, "pleading with him. 

I beg of you — Ernesto — go — please go — 

ERNESTO, decisively 
No— not until I've seen Julian — 

JULIAN 

[Speaking in his room. 
Let me go — I hear them — I tell you — 

MERCEDES 

[She is heard speaking to Julian, in his 
room. 

No — you must not — 

[JULIAN enters, followed by m e r c e d e s. 
He is deadly pale; his eyes glitter with fever. 
MERCEDES makes one last effort to re- 
strain him. He jjushes her aside, rather 
brusquely. 

[beaulieu and p e p i t o re-enter from 
the balcony. 

JULIAN 

Let me go, I say — 

[ 196 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[Advances a few steps, glaring at teoboha 
and ERNESTO, who stand side by side, 
their eyes fixed on Julian. 

JULIAN, bitterly 
Together — as usual ! — I knew I heard them — 

[To MERCEDES. 

You said not! 

[Rather peevishly. 

Why does everyone He to me ? — Where are they 
going.? Who stopped you — you traitors! You 
accursed — 

[Takes a step toward them, threateningly, but 
almost collapses, and leans for support against 
the piano. 

s E V E R o 
[^Hastening to his assistance. 
JuHan — dear brother — 

JULIAN, tenderly 

Ah, Severo, you are true to me — aren't you ? They 
broke faith with me, didn't they .^^ — Tricked me! — 
Wasn't hard, though, was it.? — with my trust — 
my poor, bhnd trust. — And look — 

[Points feebly at them. 

[ 197 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

together — as always — together! 

[ERNESTO and t e o d o r a move apart 
instantly. 

And they take care — don't they? — good care — 
to keep out of — my reach. 

[t E o D o R A takes one step toward him — 
slowly, shrinkingly — and then stops. 

Nearer ! Nearer ! 

[t E o D o R A stretches out her hands ap- 
pealingly, but does not approach him. 

T E O D O R A 

Julian ! 

JULIAN 

[With a gesture of command. 

Come here! Here! I order you. In my arms! 

[t E o D o R A rushes forivard and throws 
herself into j u l i a n's arms. He clasps 
her frantically. In triumphant tones to the 
others. 

You see — she is mine ! For all you may say — 
she is mine ! 

[To TEODORA, caressing her. 

Tell me — you're mine ? 

[198] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

T E O D O R A 

Yes, Julian. 

J U L I A N 

[Holding her at half-arm's length, and look- 
ing at her intently. 

You lie — you lie! 

T E o D o R A 

No! 

JULIAN 

[Draws her again to him. 
I could crush you— stifle you— as you deserve — 

S E V E R O 

Yes — a thousand times. 

JULIAN 

But I look at her— I look at /t^r- and— it was always 
so — I'm weak. 

[With a sudden outburst, and pulling him- 
self together. 

Besides — 

[Pointing to e R N e s t o. 

There's the culprit — the real traitor — 

[ 199 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[With a commanding gesture. 
Here! Nearer! 

[ERNESTO goes to him. 
Confess — you betrayed me — 

ERNESTO 

[Deliberately — almost coldly. 
No, Julian. 

JULIAN 

You dare deny — without blush or falter — what the 
whole world says ? 

E R N E S T O 

The world lies, Julian — mine's the truth! I swear 
it! 

JULIAN 

By what ? 

ERNESTO 

On my honour — 

JULIAN 

[Interrupting, with hitter irony. 
His honour! 

[200] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

[To the others. 
You hear? — his — precious — honour! 

ERNESTO 

Then, by my father's — 

JULIAN, fiercely 

Silent ! — I forbid you to sully my friend's name — 
as you sullied mine — you two. 

ERNESTO 

By what oath, then, oh, Julian, my more than 
brother, by what sacred — 

[ JULIAN makes a gesture for silence, and 

ERNESTO turns to TEODORA. 

Teodora, what can we do? — to prove to him? 

JULIAN 
[To SEVERO. 

See, they take counsel of each other, openly — 
under my very eyes. — No more need of stealthy 
messages — letters sealed — 

[ 201 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO 

\^With a startled look at teodora. 
Tell him, Teo, what you wrote. 

JULIAN 

Oh, I know — the rendezvous — arranged — his 
rooms — 

[To severo. 

You were right, brother — we should have read — 

ERNESTO 

Oh, if you only had — 

]^ Appealing to teodora. 
Teodora, tell him — 

JULIAN 

[Silencing them. 

Lies — more lies ? A cypher ! A lover's code ! Oh, 
I see all so clearly now — 

[Puts his hand to his eyes as if clearing his 
vision. 

TEODORA 

[Caressing julian. 
No, no, Julian — the mists of fever blind you! 

[ SOS ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[With growing wrath. 

There was no fever, then — when I found you — 
with him. — The truth ! — You did betray me — 
you two — confess ! 

TEODORA 

[Looking julian straight in the eye. 

Juhan, could my hand rest in yours without a 
tremour — could my eyes meet yours — thus? 

JULIAN 

[Pushing her away. 

Yes — because you are shameless — wanton — in 
your guilt. 

[teodora in despair turns and faces 
ERNESTO ; they exchange glances of help- 
less appeal, julian follows their mutual 
glance with frenzied intentness. 

[Wildly. 

See ! How love lights her eye when she turns 
to him — and the gleam in his — 

[ 203] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

\^Puts his hand on Ernesto's ei/e. 
Not from tears. 

l^Seizes ernesto's wrist fiercely. 
Confess ! 

ERNESTO 

\^Almost coldly. 
To a lie — no^ Julian ! 

JULIAN 

[Raising his arm threateningly. 
For that lie, then, I'll kill you. 

ERNESTO 

[On bended knee. 
Kill me, yes, Julian, but first forgive me ! 

JULIAN 

That's confession — to ask forgiveness ! 

ERNESTO 

For all your woe and pain — forgive me ! Then — 

JULIAN 

No, you shan't escape conscience that way. — Live 

[ 204 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

— you must live — and on your brow — for all 
men to see — I'll put the mark of shame — soon, 
by God's help, with my sword! Now — with 
my— 

[He strikes ernesto a stinging blow in 
the face, ernesto with a cry of horror 
recoils, steps backward slightly, raises him- 
self to his full height, and makes a threat- 
ening step forward as if to return the blow. 

TEODORA 

[With a shriek. 

Ernesto ! 

[ernesto stops instantly at the sound of 
her voice, clasps his hands together, and 
stands rigid as a statue, julian, after 
striking ernesto, totters, and only keeps 
from falling to the floor by leaning against 
the piano, severo and beaui^ieu rush 
to support him, as he reels to and fro, 
TEODORA crosses to ERNESTO, as if to 
keep him from following julian as the 
others lead him from the room. 

SEVERO 
[To JULIAN. 

Come, come, Julian. 

[205] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Faintly, looking at teodora and 
ERNESTO fixedly, and moving toward them. 

No — I've not done with them — 

SEVERO 

Leave them to me — leave them — 

JULIAN 

[At the door, looking back. 

Together — as always — together! 

[Goes out, supported by beaulieu. 
[ernesto stands dumb, motionless, gaz- 
ing after jul,ian, as if actually stunned 
by the blow. 

TEODORA 

[Following him. 
Julian ! 

[As she reaches the door, severo turns. 

SEVERO 

No! 

[MERCEDES and PEPiTo, at a gesture 

[ we ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

from SEVERo, go into Julian's room, 

TEODORA, beseechingly 
Surely, I may — 



SEVERO, vehemently 



No! 



[^Closes the door in her face. 
[teodora turns to ernesto. They 
stare at each other in silence for some sec- 
onds. 

TEODORA 

It was the madness of fever — that blow — you 
must forgive Julian. 

ERNESTO 

I love him for it — it makes the rest so easy — 
Only, to go and leave you here, alone, with 
these pitiless — 

TEODORA 

Where are you going — what will you do? 

ERNESTO 

What is left me to do? 

[ 207 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODOKA, affrighted 
You'll not— 

ERNESTO 

After that blow — you wouldn't have me live? 

T E O D O E A 

Kill yourself — 

[Treinulously. 

No ! no ! 

[With bitterness. 

No ! Fate took one life because of me — and for 
nothing, nothing, nothing! It shall not have 
another. 

[With a commanding gesture. 

Here — you remain — under my eyes — until this 
horror ends ! — Or — come — 

[Talies his hand, ernes to draws back, 

ERNESTO 

Where? 

TEGDORA 

To Julian. — Now, I'll take you to him — 

[208] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

ERNESTO, proudly 
No! 

TEODORA 

With me — yes — In the clear Hght that comes with 
the end to guide every soul to its Maker, he will 
see the truth — and tell us so. 

[ernes TO shakes his head. 

TEODORA 

He must tell us. 

[She leads ernesto, who is reluctant, 
toward jtjeian's room. Before they 
reach the door, it opens. 

SEVERO 

[At the threshold. 
Where are you going .^ 

TEODORA 

[Drawing slightly bach. 
To Julian. 

SEVERO 

You shall not. 

[209] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

TEODORA 

Don Severe ! — It is my right. 

SEVERO 

[/t* measured tones. 
You have no more right in this house. 

TEODORA 

But you will let me see — my husband. 

SEVERo, grimly 

Oh, yes. 

[Holds open the door. 
You may see what you have done. 

[teodoea passes him, stands a long time, 
gazing into the room; then, with a cry of 
anguish, staggers hack, and falls on her 
knees, with her head buried in her arms. 

SEVERO 

[Standing over her. 
And — now — out with you! 
[Calls. 
Pepito ! 

[210] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

PEPITO 

\_Entering with mercedes. 
Yes, father — 

SEVERO 

You have my orders. 

PEPITO 

But, father — 

SEVERO 

Show this woman the door. 
[pEPiTo hesitates. 

SEVERO 

[/t* louder tones. 
You hear me? 

PEPITO 

[Tremulously, appealing to mercedes. 
But my mother would rather — 

SEVERO 

Since you won't — then the servants ! 
[Crosses to the hall. 

MERCEDES 

[Commandingly, so that he stops quickly. 
Severo !— Donna Teodora was Julian's wife ! 

[211] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

Oh, you want ceremony for this creature. Well, 
then, since you prefer, / shall — 

[Approaches teg dor a. 

[From the moment that ernesto realizes 
the meaning of teodora's cry, as she 
turns from julian's door, he stands 
dumb, motionless, staring vacantly into 
space, as if stunned into a graven image. — 
Now, as SEVERO advances to her, he fairly 
leaps between them, with arms uplifted, 
and in a quivering frenzy of wrath. 

ERNESTO 

[In tones of mingled rage and tears. 

If you dare ! If you dare! — So much as touch 
this woman — since death itself cannot shame 
you — nor stop you. — You've had your way — 
your dull, stupid, cruel, pitiless way. — In your 
ignorance, your folly, your vileness, you dared 
dishonour Julian's wife — you shall not dishon- 
our mine. Brave, noble gentleman though he 
was, he could not guard his wife from you. You 
shall see how I can guard mine! 

[212] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

SEVERO 

\_Turning triumphantly to mercedes. 

'Mine' — you heard ? *Mine' ! They've done with 
lies, now. 

ERNESTO 

Because, now, now^ for the first time, it is the 
truth! And wonder of it all, your lies have 
made it truth. Now, but never till now. . , . 
If love had burned its way into my heart I'd 
have strangled it — or strangled myself — before 
a word passed my lips. I'd have plucked out 
my eyes before one gleam should betray me. 
Not even to myself — in the loneliness of night — 
would I have owned to such disloyalty. — And so 
it would have gone to the end of life — to the 
end of time — so that we could face him — we two 
— through all eternity — unflinching, though our 
very hearts shrivelled with passion. 

\_Turning to teodora, with arms out- 
stretched. 

Come, Teodora. 

l[She shrinks back — as if frightened — to- 
ward MERCEDES. 

Come — you are mine, now, Teo, mine ! mine! ! 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 



SEVERO 



Ah, now we have the truth! It is as we said — 
just as we said. 

ERNESTO 

[With exultation that grows steadily from 
the start to the -finish of his speech, so that 
at the end it thrills with tones of defiance 
and victory. 

Yes, now it is as you would have it ! — Never until 
this moment was there thought of love between 
us. This woman's soul was pure as the sun- 
beams — my heart as clear as the skies. Teo- 
dora loved none but Julian. I was his loyal 
friend, ready to serve him to the death. 

[With uplifted hand. 

And that I swear to the Great Judge before 
whom Julian has gone to arraign her and me. 
So, too, it would have been to the end. But 
now ! Now we are as you would have us — 
conscious of guilt, bold in shame. The life 
warmth fled from the slain Julian kindled in 
our hearts the flames of an accursed passion. — 

[Rushes to the balcony and flings the 
doors wide open. 

Go cry it from the windows and the house-tops, 

[ 214 ] 



THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE 

to all your neighbours, you and your kind! 
Say to them: 'Yes, we were right — they are 
lovers, Teodora and Ernesto — they confess it, 
without blame or blush!' And when they ask 
you who has wrought this — this marvel and 
infamy, you may answer them: "You have 
done it — and I — and that man there — and that 
one — and that one ! all of us, everywhere ! We 
mixed the subtle poison and scattered it to the 
winds, so these two might breathe it in, to 
stifle conscience and drug the soul.' Yes, the 
triumph is yours — and you've done your hell- 
ish work well! Come, Teodora, 

\_Taking her in his arms. 

they have given you to me — my sacred love — 
my eternal hfe. Henceforth you rest in my 
arms — that strain to clasp you. — They've 
willed it so — they've willed it so — and let all 
righteous Heaven judge between them and us! 

[The last sentence is uttered in tones of 
thunderous defiance, as ernesto and 
TEODORA are making their way to the 
door. 



CURTAIN 



[215] 



DEC 18 1*08 



™ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



lllillllillliiilil 

018 407 177 < 



